Project Mosquito Nets

In 2018, generous donors such as yourself helped raise over $20,000 for Power of Love's malaria prevention and education program. These funds were used to provide education and 8,500 long lasting insecticide treated nets to vulnerable populations in Zambia. To assess the effectiveness of nets provided, we gathered information from hundreds of beneficiaries and the results are given below. 

Effectiveness of Mosquito Nets

To assess the impact of this program, we gathered responses from over 1200 beneficiaries via interviews and focus groups discussions in December 2017, February 2018, and October 2018. Here are some heartwarming numbers from the field:

• No cases of malaria were reported amongst families in our sample.
• More than 90% of recipients knew how to hang and use the nets properly.
• Only 2% of families had the nets torn or damaged three months after use.
• 98% of families sampled had improved knowledge regarding malaria prevention, proper storage, maintenance, and re-treatment of nets.  
• On average three children were sleeping under a net.
• Almost all families sampled indicated that they could use additional nets.
• All families were grateful and would like this program to continue in 2019. 

These findings confirm WHO's (World Health Organization) results that sleeping under a good quality mosquito bed net is one of the cheapest and most effective methods of malaria prevention. The WHO recommends that mosquito bed nets should be available to everyone and free of cost to eradicate malaria.  

Next Steps

Over the last 11 years we have been able to provide over 33,000 nets and education to children and adults living with HIV, older people, HIV+ pregnant women, young children, and people infected with TB, as these populations are vulnerable malaria. For 2019, our goal is to provide 9,000-10,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education to impoverished communities in Zambia. Beneficiary communities are carefully selected based on need and the high transmission rates of malaria.

Zambia Can Be Malaria Free

A mosquito bed net can sleep up to four young children or two adults and lasts up to two years. This implies that a single net costing less than $5, can keep 3-4 children malaria free, healthy and in school. Since malaria can be fatal for young children, children living with HIV, and pregnant women living with HIV, it costs just a few pennies to save lives.

Zambia has set a lofty goal of eliminating malaria by 2021. According to USAID, this goal is ambitious but within reach. We are confident that our malaria prevention program will help Zambia reach its goal of eliminating malaria in the next 3-5 years.

Thanks for your caring and dedication to prevent malaria in Zambia.

Links:

• About Project Mosquito Nets
• Impact of our Malaria Prevention Program in 2018
• Zambia can be malaria free by 2021