Table 1 Answers given to the questions that relate to net use, handle and care during the Olyset® Net cross-sectional evaluation in Magude district

Where was the net found, inside or outside the house?

Inside

159

93.5

Outside

11

6.5

How was the net found?

Lose above the sleeping space

70

41.2

Hanging and tight with a knot

20

11.8

Hanging but folded

44

25.9

Visible but not hanging

19

11.2

Stored away from the sleeping space

17

10.0

What is the main material to sleep on?

Wooden board (well finished)

2

1.2

Wooden board (made of sticks)

0

0.0

Iron surface (metal)

10

5.9

Foam mattress

105

61.8

Mat

36

21.2

Grass

0

0.0

Floor

6

3.5

Doesn’t have a fix surface

11

6.5

Was the net used the night before?

Yes

108

63.5

No

61

35.9

I don’t know

1

0.6

 If not, why not? (n = 61)

There were no mosquitoes

37

60.7

There was no malaria

0

0.0

It was hot

2

3.3

The net was too old or torn

3

4.9

The net is too dirty

3

4.9

The net was being washed

1

1.6

I don’t know

5

8.2

Other reason

10

16.4

 When was the last time that you used the net? (n = 61)

This week

12

19.7

Last week

13

21.3

A month ago

15

24.6

Three months ago

11

18.0

More than 6 months ago

4

6.6

More than 1 year ago

4

6.6

I don’t know

2

3.3

 Last week, how often did you use the net? (n = 25)

Every night

14

56.0

Most nights (5–6 nights)

4

16.0

Some nights (1–4 nights)

6

24.0

Never

0

0.0

I don’t remember

1

4.0

During which period of the year did you use the net?

All year round

134

78.8

Only with the rainy season

20

11.8

Only in the dry season

11

6.5

I don’t know

5

2.9

How often did you use the net during the last summer?

Always

135

79.4

Most weeks

25

14.7

Some weeks

10

5.9

Never

0

0.0

Did you use the net less frequently this summer/rainy season compared to the last summer/rainy season ?

Yes

19

11.2

No

139

81.8

I don’t know

12

7.1

 If yes, why? (n = 19)

There were no mosquitoes in this rainy season

12

63.2

It was hotter than in other rainy seasons

1

5.3

There was no malaria

0

0.0

The net is more damaged than last year

2

10.5

The net is dirtier than last year

0

0.0

Others

4

21.1

How many adults (> 15 years old) slept under a net last night?

0

41

24.1

1

74

43.5

2

52

30.6

3

3

1.8

How many kids (5—15 years old) slept under a net last night?

0

124

72.9

1

30

17.6

2

13

7.6

3

2

1.2

5

1

0.6

How many kids (< 5 years of age) slept under a net last night?

0

125

73.5

1

40

23.5

2

5

2.9

Was this net ever used to sleep outside of the household?

Yes

3

1.8

No

167

98.2

I don’t know

0

0.0

 If yes, where? (n = 3)

Multiple choice answer, not compulsory by mistake

It was taken to the field

0

0.0

It was taken to the beach

0

0.0

It was taken to the forest

0

0.0

It was taken to a garner

0

0.0

It was used to sleep in a hotel

0

0.0

Others

0

0.0

 If yes, when? (n = 3)

All year round

0

0.0

Only in the rainy season

2

66.7

Only in the dry season

1

33.3

I don’t know

0

0.0

Do you tuck the edges of the net under the sleeping space well at night?

Yes

160

94.1

No

8

4.7

I don’t know

2

1.2

How do you hang the net?

Rope

118

69.4

Plastic stripes

31

18.2

Nails

5

2.9

Metal wires

10

5.9

Metal frame

1

0.6

Wooden frame

0

0.0

Others

5

2.9

Do you use fire or cook, heat, light a fire in the place where the net is located?

Yes

39

22.9

No

131

77.1

I don’t know

0

0.0

 If yes, what type? (n = 39)

Multiple choice answer

Fire from wood

1

2.6

Fire from coal

0

0.0

Candle

23

59.0

Fire lamp with glass

14

35.9

Lamp without protective glass

3

7.7

Others

0

0.0

Are there animals inside of the house?

Multiple choice answer

Cats

71

41.8

Hens

66

38.8

Ducks

29

17.1

Mice

53

31.2

Dogs

29

17.1

Others

5

2.9

No animals

35

20.6

In the last 6 months, have you seen mice or signs thereof? (mice stool, ruminations)

Yes

83

48.8

No

87

51.2

I don’t know

0

0.0

Was the net ever washed?

Yes

110

64.7

No

56

32.9

I don’t know

4

2.4

 If yes, how many times? (n = 110)

I don’t know

6

5.5

Specify quantity

104

94.5

 Number of times (n = 104)

1

43

41.3

2

36

34.6

3

18

17.3

4

2

1.9

5

2

1.9

7

1

1.0

More often

2

1.9

 In the last wash, what type of product did you use? (n = 110)

Only water

13

11.8

Local soap bar

20

18.2

Detergent (OMO or similar)

77

70.0

A mix of things (soap and detergent)

0

0.0

Whitener

0

0.0

I don’t know

0

0.0

 For how long did you dip the net in the water? (n = 110)

I did not dip it

21

19.1

 < 1 h

8

7.3

 > 1 h

71

64.5

I don’t know

10

9.1

 Did you rub or beat the net during the last wash? (n = 110)

Yes

76

69.1

No

34

30.9

I don’t know

0

 Where did you dry it after the last wash? (n = 110)

Outside on the floor

0

0.0

Outside on a line

100

90.9

Outside on a bush or fence

9

8.2

Inside of the house

1

0.9

I don’t know

0

0.0

Have you seen any holes in the net?

Yes

57

33.5

No

111

65.3

I don’t know

2

1.2

 What caused the hole? (n = 57)

Multiple choice answer

It tore when caught on a spike or a nail

15

26.3

It was pulled and tore

11

19.3

Burned with a candle or spark

4

7.0

Caused by mice

17

29.8

Caused by other animals

Cut by a knife

The hole appeared during the drying of the net

3

5.3

I don’t know

11

19.3

Others

1

1.8

 Did you ever try to repair the holes in the last 6 months? (n = 57)

Yes

22

38.6

No

35

61.4

I don’t know

0

0.0

 How where they repaired? (n = 22)

Multiple choice answer

Sewn

2

9.1

Tied

21

95.5

Used a patch

0

0.0

Others

0

0.0

 Who repaired them? (n = 22)

A member of the household

22

100.0

A tailor

0

0.0

A friend or relative

0

0.0

A community volunteer

0

0.0

Others

0

0.0

 What is the main reason for the net not to be repaired? (n = 35)

There was no time

10

28.6

It was not necessary

4

11.4

I didn’t have the materials to repair it

6

17.1

I don’t know how to repair it

15

42.9

The holes were too big to repair them

0

0.0

It was not possible to repair the holes

0

0.0

I don’t want to use the net

0

0.0

Others

0

0.0

What do you do to prevent the net from getting torn or holes from opening?

Multiple choice answer

Keep away from kids

58

34.1

Keep it away from animals

45

26.5

Roll up or tie up when not in use

128

75.3

To not mix with food

8

4.7

Keep it away from fire

14

8.2

Wash it gently

10

5.9

Wash it only when it is dirty

10

5.9

Inspect holes in the net regularly

4

2.4

Repair the small holes immediately

1

0.6

It is not possible to prevent holes from happening

1

0.6

I don’t do anything

2

1.2

Others

1

0.6