Insecticide-treated nets
ITN use is a cost-effective way of preventing malaria. Studieshave shown that when used widely in a community, ITNs can significantly reduce severe malaria, anemia, and all-cause mortality in young children and pregnant women. Utilization also reduces preterm delivery and improves birth outcomes.
Scaling up ITN use is one of the major priorities of the National Malaria Strategic Plan. It aims to ensure that at least 80% of people sleep under ITNs in eligible areas of every district in Zambia by December 2008. (Non-eligible areas are those in which IRS is being implemented.)
ITN distribution strategies
- Rapid scale up is occurring primarily through a rolling mass distribution campaign of free ITNs. A minimum of three ITNs are being distributed to each household in all ITN-eligible areas of the country.
- Routine ITN distribution is occurring through child and antenatal clinics.
- Commercial distribution is taking place through NMCC commercial and private sector partners.