Effect of housing modification on indoor thermal comfort and malaria vector densities in hot and humid zones of western and coastal Kenya

Heat stress and strain result in heat-related illnesses that affect an individual´s ability to work and reduce economic productivity at the community level. While the body maintains a heat balance through the thermoregulatory system, an increase in heat load overwhelms the body leading to illness. Global warming is expected to exacerbate heat-related illnesses, especially in Africa. To mitigate these consequences, it is important to maintain indoor temperatures within recommended thermal comfort zones. This is achieved through openings on dwellings such as doors, windows, and eaves. These openings are often not oriented to achieve cooling indoors, and double up as entry points for malaria mosquitoes further risking the health of occupants. We propose to implement simple house modifications with screened windows, doors, and eaves to provide cooling while preventing indoor entry of mosquitoes ultimately attaining thermal comfort and lowering the incidence of malaria.