by Moshood Isah
Do you sleep under or inside insecticide-treated mosquito nets? It’s an interesting question, right?. While both words are often used interchangeably, it’s important to use the specific term “sleeping under” to ensure mosquito nets are used effectively for optimal impacts.
When it comes to preventing or reducing malaria transmission, especially in high-risk regions like Africa, the most effective method is arguably the consistent use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for sleeping. The World Health Organisation has constantly recommended this intervention as malaria remains a significant public health problem.
Despite this, research reveals that underserved communities are less likely to purchase LLINs due to economic constraints. This may explain the frequent free distribution of mosquito nets in these communities. One such free distribution campaign was conducted in Bauchi State, Nigeria last year.
Led by the Against Malaria Foundation in partnership with the state Government, over 3 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed to more than one million households across Bauchi state.
To assess the availability, effective use, and impact on malaria transmission of the distributed nets, eHealth Africa, in partnership with strategic stakeholders in the state, deployed a comprehensive Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) strategy.
During the entry meeting with the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), project manager Toju Ogele said that eHealth Africa will deploy over 100 data collectors and supervisors to visit about 20,000 households across the state.
The households were randomly selected to prevent any bias in the Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) process. “While data collectors conduct house-to-house surveys using electronic devices to ensure accuracy in the data collection process”, he said.
The process which had already begun in the state capital, also involved roving supervisors who conducted spot checks and provided oversight. “The primary objective of the PDM intervention is to confirm net presence, assess their effective use, and determine their current condition across households,” he said.
“We recognize the important role of community gatekeepers, such as traditional and religious leaders, for intervention of this nature. Therefore, we conducted advocacy visits to different levels of leadership at the local government level to secure their support for the project”, he added. Importantly, the team also deployed local guides familiar with the communities to ensure a smooth data collection process.
In his remark, Sulaiman Danladi, Deputy Director of the State Malaria Alleviation Programme, commended the community-based approach to the intervention and pledged his support for an objective PDM outcome. He reiterated that “since 2009, the state has distributed Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs) every four years. It is an ethical standard to conduct follow-up to assess the availability, hanging rates, and maintenance of the nets”.
According to him, this is done to ensure the nets are being effectively utilized for the overall protection of the entire Bauchi State population, especially under-5 children and pregnant women, against malaria.
During the first phase of the Post Distribution Monitoring, a community leader in Bauchi metropolis, Mallam Ya’u Adamu praised the process saying the PDM helps identify gaps experienced during the initial net distribution process. He explained that “some of the ad-hoc staff deployed to identify households and collect information for net distribution purposes are not necessarily familiar with the communities they are deployed to.”
This undoubtedly impacted access to mosquito nets in the community. He, therefore, called on partners to always involve community leaders in the identification of households and distribution of insecticide-treated nets.
