Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What preventive measure against malaria is recommended for people living in endemic areas?

1. Receive a dose of IV quinine.

2. Avoid direct contact with individuals who have malaria.

3. Use insecticide-treated bed nets.

4. Apply dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) spray.

The correct answer is: Use insecticide-treated bed nets.

Using insecticide-treated bed nets is widely recommended as an effective preventive measure against malaria, particularly for people living in endemic areas. These nets serve a dual purpose: they provide a physical barrier against mosquito bites while also being treated with insecticides to kill mosquitoes that come into contact with the net. This is especially crucial in regions where malaria is prevalent, as it helps to reduce the number of malaria-carrying mosquitoes in households, thereby decreasing the overall incidence of malaria infections. In contrast, while IV quinine can be used to treat malaria, it is not a preventative measure and is typically reserved for severe cases. Avoiding contact with individuals who have malaria does not effectively address the primary transmission route of the disease, which is through mosquito bites. Lastly, while DDT spraying can reduce mosquito populations, it is not a personal preventive measure and has been associated with environmental and health concerns. Hence, using insecticide-treated bed nets stands out as a practical, direct, and effective means of prevention for those at risk in endemic regions.