Project Mosquito Nets

Thanks again for your support for Power of Love’s malaria prevention program in Zambia. As a result of your generosity we were able to provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated bed nets and education on prevention of malaria to children and families vulnerable to malaria last June. Your ongoing support has helped in keeping children malaria free, healthy, and in school. Over the last five years, we have been able to provide 8,800 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria to families in Zambia. These nets were used by an estimated 35,200 children (each net can sleep up to four young children) or 17,600 adults (each net can sleep two adults).

Impact of our Malaria Prevention Program

In order to assess the impact of our malaria prevention program we conducted a follow-up study in September 2015. The goal of this study was to assess (i) if the nets are being used every night, (ii) if the nets were maintained and stored as demonstrated during the malaria prevention day activities, (iii) if the beneficiaries had knowledge about re-treatment of nets, and (iv) if there was a decline in the incidence of malaria.

Results of the study: We interviewed 426 women beneficiaries and based on our conversation we concluded that:

(i) Nets are used every night. This is important as according to the World Health Organization, sleeping under a mosquito bed net is one of the most cost effective and easiest ways to prevent malaria.

(ii) Most beneficiaries had increased knowledge about the proper storage and maintenance of nets. Four grandmothers did not know how to use the nets and they were provided with another demonstration on the proper use and storage of nets. 

(iii) Most beneficiaries had knowledge about re-treatment of nets that is required every six months and that this service is available free of cost via by Government agencies.

(iv) Each net was being used to sleep at least 2-3 children or two adults. This implies that our malaria prevention program benefits approximately 4000-6000 children or 4000 adults each year.

(v)  Most women had better knowledge about malaria prevention and symptoms of malaria.

(vi) Most nets were in good condition (not torn).

(vii) There is a reduced incidence of malaria in the community.

(viii) There are fewer missed days from school as a result of better health of the children.

Need for Nets: Follow-up interviews with nets recipients indicates that the nets distributed over the last 2-3 years are in good condition and are being used as directed. However, we need several thousand more nets as most residents in our community live on less than a dollar a day and cannot afford to purchase a net.

Globally, malaria is still a problem as there were an estimated 200 million cases of malaria and 600,000 deaths in 2013. Ninety percent of malaria deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and this disease is the leading cause of death for children under five. Over 400,000 children die needlessly every year from malaria which is easily preventable and treatable. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to malaria.

According to the World Health Organization, 90 percent of families with a bed net use it. However, in 2013 only 50% of families in sub-Saharan African slept beneath a mosquito bed net. This highlights a need to provide nets to an additional 50% of the families in Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, a decrease in the usage of nets can lead to a major insurgence of the disease and can reverse the gains achieved in preventing deaths due to malaria over the last several years.  

Request for donations for our next Distribution of nets: At this time we are raising funds to provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria before the next malaria season in 2016. A donation of $10 can prevent malaria for a family of four young children and two adults. Every little bit counts as a family can be malaria free for just pennies per person.      

Thanks for your caring and dedication to keep children malaria free in Zambia. 

Links:

• Malaria prevention day 2015
• PMN- Summary
• Bed nets and children's health in Zambia