Tit-Bits on the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs)

Basic Facts about ITNs

The World Health Organisation / Global Malaria Program (WHO/GMP) recommends the “distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), more especially long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), to achieve full coverage of populations at risk of malaria.”

How Do ITNs Protect Against Malaria?

1. ITNs provide both physical and chemical barrier between humans and mosquito, thereby preventing the malaria parasite from being transmitted through the mosquito bite.
2. Any mosquito that comes in contact with the ITNs are repelled, disabled and or killed by the insecticide used in treating the net.
3. When ITNs are used by the majority of the target population, this provides protection for all people in the community including those who do not sleep under ITNs themselves.
4. When full coverage is achieved, ITNs reduce all-cause child mortally by 18% (ranging from 14%-29%) in Sub- Saharan Africa. This implies that 5.5 lives could be saved per year for every 1000 children under five years protected.
5. ITNs reduce clinical episodes of malaria caused by Plasmodium falsiparum and Plasmodium vivax by 50%on average.
6. In Africa, ITNs increased means birth weight by 55grams and reduced low birth weight by 23%, miscarriages /still births by 33%, and placental parasitemia by 23%.
7. ITNs provide protection against other diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and kill head lice, bedbugs and cockroaches.

Source: Ghana Malaria Action Alert (volume 1, Issue 5.December 2007)