The researchers found that increasing the height of a hut progressively reduced the number of mosquitoes entering the hut, such that at 3 metres above the ground, 84% fewer malaria mosquitoes entered the building compared with the hut on the ground. This may be due to two reasons: malaria mosquitoes have evolved to find humans on the ground; and at higher heights, the carbon dioxide odour plumes coming out of the huts are rapidly dispersed by the wind, so mosquitoes find it more difficult to find a person to bite.

The Star Home is designed not only to protect children against malaria, but also to protect them against the other two main killer diseases of children: respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases. Another trial is underway to compare the rates of disease in children living in 110 Star homes and 440 traditional homes in Tanzania.

[Source]