Project Mosquito Nets

With your support, Power of Love Foundation was able to provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria to children and families in the summer of 2014. Recipients of nets included those sections of the population most vulnerable to malaria, namely children under five years of age, HIV positive children, expecting moms, people living with HIV, people infected with TB, and orphans and vulnerable children.

In order to assess the impact of our malaria prevention program, we conducted a follow up study in October 2014. The study indicated that the use of bed nets has led to fewer cases of malaria in the community and fewer visits to the clinic. As a result of improved health, school attendance and performance in school is higher. We are confident that with the continued provision of malaria bed nets and education, there will be a marked reduction in the incidence of malaria in this community. More detail is provided below.  

Findings of a Post-distribution of Malaria Nets Study

In order to understand the impact of the provision of nets and education on malaria prevention we met with 200 beneficiary families in October 2014 to:

(i)     assess the impact of nets usage,

(ii)   learn if nets were being used as demonstrated and identify and educate families who were not using nets in the proper way,  

(iii) assess the number of malaria cases/deaths if any,

(iv) estimate the number of direct and indirect beneficiaries.

Findings of the Study:  Based on our conversations we learnt that most beneficiaries,

(i)     know what measures to take to prevent malaria,

(ii)   are using the nets as demonstrated prior to the provision of nets, 

(iii) know when and where to take the nets for re-treating with pesticide after six months,  

(iv) are storing nets properly as they are relatively clean and not damaged/torn, and

(v) the number of direct and indirect beneficiaries is approximately 3200 adults and children as a net can sleep multiple people (one net can sleep two adults or four young children).

Impact of the Provision of Nets and Education on Malaria Prevention

Most of the older children and adult beneficiaries are using the bed nets, and the nets are being used as demonstrated during the distribution day activities. Nets were kept clean and stored properly when not in use. A few beneficiaries did not know the proper way of using nets and they were provided with information on this subject. In addition, recipients of nets have increased knowledge and awareness about malaria prevention.

Community and Church leaders expressed their thanks and would like this malaria prevention program to continue in 2015 and beyond. This is especially true as most families live on less than one dollar a day due to high levels of unemployment and are unable to afford net.  

The use of bed nets has led to fewer cases of malaria in the community and fewer visits to the clinic. As a result of improved health, school attendance and performance in school is higher. We are confident that with the continued provision of malaria bed nets and education, there will be a marked reduction in the incidence of malaria in this community.

Thanks for helping prevent malaria in Zambia. 

Links:

• About Project Mosquito Nets
• Children's health and malaria bed nets
• Stories of Children who are malaria free