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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Design, implementation and evaluation of a national campaign to distribute nine million free LLINs to children under five years of age in Tanzania
Malaria Journal, Volume 10, Article 73, Year 2011
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Description
Background: After a national voucher scheme in 2004 provided pregnant women and infants with highly subsidized insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), use among children under five years (U5s) in mainland Tanzania increased from 16% in 2004 to 26.2% in 2007. In 2008, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare planned a catch-up campaign to rapidly and equitably deliver a free long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) to every child under five years in Tanzania. Methods. The ITN Cell, a unit within the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), coordinated the campaign on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Government contractors trained and facilitated local government officials to supervise village-level volunteers on a registration of all U5s and the distribution and issuing of LLINs. The registration results formed the basis for the LLIN order and delivery to village level. Caregivers brought their registration coupons to village issuing posts during a three-day period where they received LLINs for their U5s. Household surveys in five districts assessed ITN ownership and use immediately after the campaign. Results: Nine donors contributed to the national campaign that purchased and distributed 9.0 million LLINs at an average cost of $7.07 per LLIN, including all campaign-associated activities. The campaign covered all eight zones of mainland Tanzania, the first region being covered separately during an integrated measles immunization/malaria LLIN distribution in August 2008, and was implemented one zone at a time from March 2009 until May 2010. ITN ownership at household level increased from Tanzania's 2008 national average of 45.7% to 63.4%, with significant regional variations. ITN use among U5s increased from 28.8% to 64.1%, a 2.2-fold increase, with increases ranging from 22.1-38.3% percentage points in different regions. Conclusion: A national-level LLIN distribution strategy that fully engaged local government authorities helped avoid additional burden on the healthcare system. Distribution costs per net were comparable to other public health interventions. Particularly among rural residents, ITN ownership and use increased significantly for the intended beneficiaries. The upcoming universal LLIN distribution and further behaviour change communication will further improve ITN ownership and use in 2010-2011. © 2011 Bonner et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Bonner, Kimberly E.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Mwita, Alex
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
McElroy, Peter D.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
U.s. President’s Malaria Initiative
Omari, Susan
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Itn Cell
Mzava, Ally
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Itn Cell
Lengeler, Christian H.
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Kaspar, Naomi
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
U.s. President’s Malaria Initiative
Nathan, Rose
Tanzania, Ifakara
Ifakara Health Institute
Ngegba, Joyce
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
World Vision Tanzania
Mtung'e, Romanus
United States, Washington, D.c.
Population Services International
Brown, Nick J.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Itn Cell
Statistics
Citations: 101
Authors: 11
Affiliations: 8
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1475-2875-10-73
e-ISSN:
14752875
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Tanzania
Participants Gender
Female