Use and disuse of malaria bed nets in an internally displaced persons camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A mixed-methods study.

Introduction: Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among displaced populations in tropical zones. Bed nets are widely used to prevent malaria; however, few data are available on bed net distribution within displaced populations.

Methods: Mixed methods study in a single internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and neighboring community in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Lack of household clustering of malaria in a complex humanitarian emergency: implications for active case detection.

Background: Malaria contributes to elevated morbidity and mortality in populations displaced by conflict in tropical zones. In an attempt to reduce malaria transmission in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we tested a strategy of active case detection of household contacts of malaria cases.

Methods: Prospective community-based survey.

Burden of malaria is higher among children in an internal displacement camp compared to a neighbouring village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), violent conflict has caused the displacement of millions of people into camps where they are exposed to poor living conditions and high rates of infectious diseases. Malaria, in particular, is a major cause of mortality in children under five; however, the burden of disease in displacement camps has not previously been described.

Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were performed.