Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112341

Carol Baume, PhD¹, M. Celeste Marin, MPH², and Roshelle Payes, BSFS². (1) Center for Applied Behavioral and Evaluation Research, Academy for Educational Development, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, (2) NetMark, Academy for Educational Development, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202-884-8523, cmarin@aed.org

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) have been shown to dramatically reduce malaria transmission and decrease severe malaria, premature births and all-cause child mortality. Roll Back Malaria (RBM) and other global and national initiatives have identified ITNs as a key component of malaria control strategies and in 2000, set the ambitious target of at least 60% ITN coverage of those at risk for malaria, particularly children under five and pregnant women, by 2005.

Ninety percent of malaria cases worldwide occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Using data from two rounds of national household surveys on net/ITN awareness, ownership and use conducted in 2000 and 2003-4, we examine progress toward this target in Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Ethiopia. In identifying similarities and differences among countries, we discuss changes in patterns of coverage by urban and rural location and by socio-economic status. There are clear regional trends toward increased net/ITN use, with coverage highest in Senegal, Mali and Zambia and lowest in Nigeria. Yet sharp inequalities in coverage in some countries demonstrate the continuing challenge of reaching the poor, and point to the need for expansion of the commercial market as well as for aggressive targeting of subsidies for vulnerable groups if RBM's goal of 60% coverage is to be reached.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Define Roll Back Malaria’s target for ITN coverage.
• Describe trends in ITN coverage in six sub-Saharan countries.
• Identify the challenges these countries face in achieving 60% ITN coverage.

Related Web page: www.netmarkafrica.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation