Contents


### **Chapter 8 145**

Commercial Mosquito Repellents and Their Safety Concerns *by Hanem Fathy Khater, Abdelfattah M. Selim, Galal A. Abouelella, Nour A. Abouelella, Kadarkarai Murugan, Nelissa P. Vaz and Marimuthu Govindarajan*

Preface

Communicable diseases are prevalent worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, communicable diseases cause premature and preventable deaths. Their negative effects are often felt in these poor and inadequate resource settings. Effective implementation of environmental management coupled with community involvement and participation may reduce the burden of communicable diseases, including malaria. Application of simple control and preventable measures that are culturally acceptable, affordable, accessible, and achievable may be the mainstay of dealing with this public health problem in a sustainable manner. The positive effect of successful intervention may be manifested by the reduction of disease burden among women and children, more particularly children under five years of age who die in large numbers. More often than not it is the individual's responsibility to safeguard their own health in all aspects such as positive change in lifestyles, good healthseeking behavior, and where possible control of the environment, hence the effect

It is the view of the authors that the readers of this text book will derive maximum benefits from it, use it as a reference manual in their workplaces, and share the knowledge with the communities they serve. It is evident that change is enacted from within the mindset of an individual, then transmitted to families, communities, and eventually nations, who will change thereby create an environment better

The book focuses on different types of malaria, more especially *Plasmodium falciparum*, which is detrimental to communities and the cause of death among children, particularly the under-fives, as well as pregnant women, women, and men in general. Preferably, readers may use the book as a bedside reference manual, especially those working in malaria endemic areas, which may contribute to reducing human suffering and unnecessary death. Although the treatment of different forms of malaria, ranging from uncomplicated to complicated malaria, is outlined, users of the book should go beyond bedside medicine to the communities and deal with the root cause of the problem, which is the mainstay of malaria control and prevention. These interventions can facilitate the wellbeing of the communities in the affected countries, thereby economic improvement and meaningful development may be achieved. And we can all jointly acknowledge and accept that "this is our problem" as opposed to "it is their problem." This therefore can help us deal

> **Fyson H. Kasenga, PhD, MPH** Deputy Vice Chancellor, Malawi Adventist University,

> > Makwasa, Malawi

Malamulo College of Health of Sciences,

of climate change.

for everybody.

with malaria as a communicable disease.
