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

Intense malaria transmission areas-All infants at their first immunization and all pregnant women as early as possible should receive an LLIN through immunization and antenatal care visits.

Low malaria transmission areas-LLINs should be delivered to all people with an initial focus on priority target areas, such as those with high burden of malaria, individuals at risk of outbreaks due to climatic conditions or areas with limited access to health facilities.

Where Can ITNs be obtained?

ITNs in Ghana can be obtained at the District hospital and Health Centers through the voucher system in five regions (Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Central), at the antenatal clinics (ANCs) and through commercial partners in pharmacies and shops. Locally sewn nets are being treated in the Kantamanto and Central markets in Accra and Kumasi, respectively, to augment treated bed net coverage and usage while re-treatment centers have also been established throughout the country.

Ghana ’s Progress with ITNs

Using permethrin insecticide to treat the nets achieved a 18-33% reduction in all-cause mortality in children under five years, according to research conducted by the Navrongo Health Research Center in the Kasrna Nankana District of the East Region of Ghana.
3.5% million nets were distributed in Ghana from 1998 to 2007
Households with bed nets increased from 48.3% in 2005 to 51.1% in 2006
ITN use in children under five increased from 3.5% in 2003 to 22%in 2006
ITN use in pregnant women increased from 3.3% in 2003 to 46.5% in 2006

3,398 locally sewn nets have been treated in Kantamanto market in Accra since August 2006
2,260 locally sewn nets have been treated in Kumasi Central Market between September 2006 and July 2007
2.1 million nets distributed free of charge in November 2006 significantly increased ITN coverage and usage

Ghana has so far seen a remarkable increase in ITN distribution and use in children under five years and pregnant women, the two most vulnerable populations at risk of malaria. The support of the GFATM, UNICEF, USAID, DFID, World Bank, and other donor and corporate bodies in making this possible is highly commended.

Meeting the Needs of all Households

Although Ghana has made significant progress over the last few years, it still has a long way to go in achieving extensive coverage and use of ITNs to protect its communities against malaria. There are still 48.9% of households without ITN coverage, 68% of children under five and 54% of pregnant women not using ITNs.

Ghana can achieve “ITNs for all households” if leadership at all levels acknowledges that:

“Money spent on malaria control is money saved for promoting development”

What Actions Need to Take Place?

Voices for malaria-Free Future Ghana calls on

Government leaders including Ministers to declare 2008 a year of providing more resources for ITNs, especially LLINs
District Assemblies, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies to allocate at least a third of the total amount of funds received under the One Percent District Assemblies Common Fund for Malaria to purchase ITNs and promote their use
Chiefs to allocate part of their royalties and other community resources to the provision of ITNs and encourage regular use by community members
Religious leaders to recognize fundraisings for ITNs for members of other congregations
Local philanthropists and wealthy individuals to include provision of ITNs in their donations to health facilities, schools, orphanages and care homes etc.
Corporate sector to create budget lines for supporting procurement of ITNs for mass distributions in highly endemic regions.
International donor community and agencies to intensify their support for increased resources to close the ITN supply and use gap.

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