Our data shows that the participation of local communities in the implementation of Target Malaria’s entomological research activities was informed by a wide range of motivations. Five key themes emerged consistently in the interviews and focus group discussions, however, even if individual actors often expressed them through different semantic registers. Thus, we classified the motivations into five categories: 1) concern over mosquitoes and malaria; 2) to contribute to a better future; 3) to acquire knowledge and improve skills; 4) to obtain financial benefits; 5) to gain social prestige.
Concern over mosquitoes and malaria
The main reason why members of the local community in Bana participated in entomological research activities was the desire to protect themselves against mosquito bites and malaria. Fear of mosquitoes and of the diseases they transmit is an obvious concern in the area, and a vast majority of respondents drew a direct link between entomological research and better protection for themselves and their families. This motivation encompassed two overlapping considerations. On the one hand, residents valued the immediate protection provided by some research methods, particularly indoor spraying (Figure 2). Indoor spray catches were used to assess the density of endophilic mosquitoes, as well as the proportion of blood-fed specimens and the degree of infectivity of different anopheline species. Most of the residents who granted access to their compounds for this type of mosquito sampling valued the immediate protection it offered. “My husband and I have agreed for our home to be sprayed because we want to get rid of the mosquitoes in the house” (35-year-old housewife, Bana). “Whenever they come to spray the house, they drive away a lot of mosquitoes. Again, we know that mosquitoes are not good. This is why I accepted to do the work. Because mosquitoes are not good.” (women’s focus group, Bana). Similar statements were gathered from other participants. Expressions such as “We want to get rid of mosquitoes from our homes”, “We want good health”, “by spraying our homes, they chase out a lot of mosquitoes” highlighted both concern about mosquito-borne diseases and the assumption that some research activities produced a direct health benefit. In this regard, it is important to note that this assumption persisted despite repeated message from researchers to the effect that entomological research activities, and sampling work in particular, were not intended as mosquito control interventions. In discussions with community members it was emphasized that mosquito collection activities had a purely scientific purpose, did not offer lasting protection, and that traditional protective measures, particularly bed nets, should be continuously used. It is also important to note that for many interviewees, the expectation of an immediate benefit overlapped with the assumption that, over time, the research conducted in the village would contribute to a better control of malaria in the area. “Mosquitoes are the ones which give us malaria; and to me, combating malaria is a good thing. As for me, I have children and I know that if malaria is controlled, one day my children will be free of this disease and that is good” (participant in the women’s focus group, Bana).
‘Contribute to a better future’ and participate in ‘noble’ research
Another motivation mentioned by Bana residents to explain their participation in entomological research activities was their desire to ‘contribute to a better future’. This theme emerged in a variety of interviews and focus group discussions. Several interviewees considered Target Malaria an example of forward-looking research meaning that it could provide a long-term solution for malaria. “As for me, I believe that we are contributing to a better future through our participation in the project. The mosquitoes which I catch myself, it’s as if I was working for myself or for my children. Even if I’m not alive tomorrow, at least I might have done something for tomorrow. For example, for those of us who are farmers, if you buy cattle and tomorrow you’re no more, your children can still work with the cattle. That is how this project is; we are searching for a solution to malaria to save tomorrow’s people” (A 33-year-old mosquito-collecting youth, Bana). Villagers perceived that the various mosquito-collection activities were aimed at finding a future solution to malaria. They believed that this was a noble objective, and that by participating in the project they were doing “good” and contributing to a better future for future generations. This understanding echoed some of the messages put forward by the researchers regarding the ultimate objective of their work (“contribute to a better future,” “serve tomorrow,” “noble research,” etc.).
Mosquito sampling as a new technical skill
Some interviewees considered their participation in entomological research work as an opportunity to improve their knowledge on mosquitoes and learn new skills (Figure 3 & 4). This motivation was particularly salient among mosquito collectors: “I came to do the work because it is a research which they are conducting. I want to learn this work. Knowing mosquitoes, knowing how to catch them in order to combat malaria” (28-year-old mosquito collector, Bana). Most of the interviewed youths said that their involvement in Target Malaria would allow them to acquire specific knowledge on mosquitoes and mosquito-collection techniques that would enable them to contribute in the fight against malaria. As another participant in the focus group discussion said, “As for me, I wanted to learn how to capture a mosquito. I know that a mosquito is small. How are they able to catch it? This way, I can also learn how the mosquito transmits the disease” (34-year-old mosquito collector, Bana). When asked what type of expertise they thought they were acquiring through their participation in the project, interviewees referred to a range knowledge and skills. “Thank to the project, I learned how to catch mosquitoes. And then now I can differentiate between the kinds of mosquitoes according to whether they are male or female. I know that the male is the one who has a lot of hair on his mouth, he doesn't bite. While the female has a small mouth and a long pointed beak and it is she who bites. In the evening I can identify swarms of mosquitoes, whereas in the past I thought it was dust. As for the night, people may wonder how to catch these little bugs, we were shown this. For the third [activity], which is spraying, I learned how to pick them up on the sheet with a pair of pliers and put them in a box. I learned all this in the project.” (24-year-old mosquito collector, Bana). Comments such as this were often shared by mosquito collectors in their focus group discussion, and show the extent to which some members of the community, particularly those who were recruited to conduct baseline entomological work (spray catches, swarm sampling, Human Landing Catch), perceived their participation as an opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and skills. In fact, references to the importance of “doing the work,” or “learning how to work” suggests that those who participated most directly in entomological research activities perceived their involvement as an opportunity to learn a “trade” that could be useful, not least in future Target Malaria projects.
Financial compensation
Participating in Target Malaria research activities offered an opportunity for financial compensation, and this was mentioned often in discussions with mosquito collectors. “Some of us, we are interested in this work because of the monetary reward attached to it. Something which helps us solve our petty financial problems. If someone asks me how is your work, I will tell them the mosquito-catching job is very good and that it is economically good to do this job. It is because of the money given after the work.” (28-year-old mosquito collector, Bana). In their statements, the local expressions used by the volunteers to qualify the financial compensation were very clear: “Timinandiya” (motivation or encouragement), “Tͻnͻ” (gain, interest, or profit) or “Nusɔndiya” (cheerful or being happy). These expressions, specially “Tͻnͻ”, referred to the financial resources provided by the project. In the research protocols submitted for ethical review, Target Malaria included a form of financial compensation for those who conducted work on behalf of the project. This financial compensation is intended for anyone in the village who voluntarily agrees to take part in the project's entomological activities either by allowing Target Malaria to use their household for these activities or by collecting mosquitoes on behalf of the project. However, Target Malaria insisted this was not a “remuneration” or “salary,” but rather a compensation for the time spent by local residents on research activities. Its motivational significance was confirmed by statements from the other focus groups. As the mother of a mosquito-collector youth said: “The village youths are our children. We know them very well. They offer to catch the mosquitoes because they gain something like financial benefit from it.” (46-year-old housewife, mother of a mosquito-capturing youth, Bana).
“Social prestige” and “village reputation”
Some statements from local residents, especially village leaders, highlight the role of prestige as one of the factors motivating them to host the project. “As for me, I really understand the objectives of your project in our village… And I know that, thanks to this project, the name of the village will be projected into the limelight. And people all over the world will wonder where the village of Bana is located. The fact that such research is being conducted in this village is an immense motivation for us, for, in any case, it would bring immense social benefits to the village” (46-year-old village leader, Bana). For some residents, particularly those with a representative function, being associated with Target Malaria enhanced the village’s image, both at the national and international levels. This prestige was in some cases projected into the future: “And, if in the meantime the project achieves the expected results and success in the work, even if we are not alive, people will say that research has been done in Bana. Bana's name will be mentioned everywhere. And as a resident of the village, I will be very proud. That's why I think it's important to get involved” (38-year-old men resident, Bana).