LOGICS OF ACTORS IN WASHING MOSQUITO NETS IN COMPARISON WITH THE LAUNDRY IN VILLAGES IN IVORY COAST.

The use of long lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) by households could be weakened by washing modes reducing the effectiveness of this material. This study aimed to identify LLIN washing practices in field conditions and their determinants. Such an analysis cannot be done without considering the overall logic of linen washing, because the mosquito net as the garment fits into the broad range of cloths. Hence the inclusion of washing practices of garments for comparison. Several units of two types of LLINs (Olyset net® and PermaNet®) were distributed to women in two villages in the town of Dabou. Then, a questionnaire survey and focus groups, combined with direct observation of washing practices were conducted. The results shed light on, logics of actors to not alter the insecticide effect or the fiber of LLINs considered fragile. This shows a difference with the washing processes of certain clothing fabrics. The study reveals a combination of the concepts of clean and dirty with other criteria referring to the colour (white / dark) to the thickness of the fabric (hard / soft), etc. in washing practices.