Jasbir K.  Sangha, Kiersten B.  Johnson, 
    Reduction in the Burden of Malarial Anemia in Benin: Confirmation of an Anti-Vector Approach at the National Level,
    International Journal of Tropical Medicine,
    Volume 4,Issue 3,
    2009,
    Pages 104-111,
    ISSN 1816-3319,
    ijtmed.2009.104.111,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=ijtmed.2009.104.111)
    Abstract: To assess the association between mosquito net use and the burden of malaria as proxied by severe anemia. We also attempt to discern the comparative validity of two proposed cut-offs (Hb &lt;8 and Hb &lt;7 g dL<SUP>-1</SUP>) for defining severe anemia. We use data from the nationally-representative Benin Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS) conducted in 2001 and 2006 to assess the use of mosquito nets and severe anemia in children 6-23 months of age. We find that use of mosquito nets among all children in Beninois households is associated with a &gt;40% reduction in the adjusted odds of being severely anemic for both survey years. The results of this analysis are equivocal on the question of whether &lt;7 or &lt;8 g dL<SUP>-1</SUP> is the more valid cut-off point to define severe anemia in the context of malaria. There is a clear association between mosquito net use and reduced burden of severe anemia: not only is there a decrease in the national prevalence of severe anemia at the same time that an increase in mosquito net use was observed, but analyses of individual-level data also indicate a strong negative association between mosquito net use and severe anemia. These findings provide additional support for the continued promotion of mosquito nets as an important anti-vector strategy in the fight against malaria.
    Keywords: Malaria;anemia;malarial anemia;Benin;mosquito net;insecticide treated bed nets