Project Mosquito Nets

Power of Love Foundation was able to provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets, and education on prevention of malaria to children and families vulnerable to malaria in the summer of 2014. Beneficiaries 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. At this time we are rasing funds to provide 2000 bed nets in 2015. Please donate generously to save lives in Zambia.

Rationale and 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 are 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:  We met with more than 200 beneficiary families and learnt that most beneficiaries:
(i)     know what measures to take to prevent malaria,
(ii)   are using the nets and using them as demonstrated during the distribution day activities. 
(iii) know when and where to take the nets for re-treating with pesticide after six months,  and
(iv) are storing nets properly as they are relatively clean and not damaged/torn.

In addition, all children enrolled in Power of Love’s paediatric HIV care program have been free of malaria since June 2014. As a result of their improved health (measured by a gain in weight and higher CD4 counts), school attendance and performance of these children has improved.

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. A few beneficiaries did not know the proper way of using nets and they were provided with information on this subject. In addition, beneficiaries have increased knowledge and awareness about malaria prevention. The use of bed nets has led to fewer cases of malaria in the community and hence fewer visits to the clinic. The number of direct and indirect beneficiaries is approximately 3200 as a net can sleep multiple people (one net can sleep two adults or four young children).

Beneficiary families are happy with the receipt of malaria bed nets as it keeps them healthy and malaria free. 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.  

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:

• Health Education Day 2014
• Mosquito Bed Nets and Children's Health in Zambia
• About Project Mosquito Nets

“Thank You” for supporting Power of Love Foundation’s (POL) Project Mosquito Nets program. With your support, we were able to provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets to women and children vulnerable to malaria in Zambia in the summer of 2014. Your support will help keep approximately 8000 young children (as a net can sleep four young children) or 2000 families (two adults and two young children) malaria free and healthy. 

Profile of Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries were to 2000 families in the Matero compound in Lusaka, Zambia. This compound is one of the largest and most impoverished compounds in Lusaka with a population of 80,000-90,000. Many parts of Matero are water logged and have sewer ponds, leading to a high prevalence of malaria and hence a need for malaria prevention and education.

Most beneficiaries were HIV positive children, children under the age of five, pregnant moms, women who are breast feeding and adults who are infected with TB and/or HIV. These sections of the population are most vulnerable to malaria as their immune system is compromised, and because co-infection rates between malaria, HIV and TB are very high.

Distribution Activities: Children played traditional Zambian games while waiting for the distribution activities to begin. Distribution activities commenced with singing and dancing by the women and children present. This was followed by dances by children from St. John’s Ambulance.

The event was attended by the Church Pastor, Power of Love representatives and volunteers, community organizations, representatives from health clinics in Matero, and community members.

Power of Love Foundation's Project Nurse commenced the health/malaria education part of the day’s activities by giving a short talk on hygiene and health. This was followed by education on malaria prevention and the proper use of nets by health care professional from local clinics. Highlights of the education on malaria prevention, (led by a Nurse from the government clinic) included:

(i) proper use of mosquito nets, drainage maintenance, filling and removal of breeding sites, re-treating of mosquito nets,

(ii) maintenance of nets (cleaning and storage) to prevent damage,

(iii) negative impacts of malaria in pregnancy e.g. maternal death, abortion, still birth and low birth weight,

(iv) information about malaria for HIV+ children,

(v) identification of signs and symptoms of malaria, and 

(vi) proper storage of nets when not in use

The Nurse explained that the best way to prevent malaria was to sleep under a net every night during malaria season. Her presentation was accompanied by a demonstration on the proper use and storage of nets. In addition, she underscored the importance of re-treating nets every six months, which could be done during the Child Health Weeks held in June and December each year. She informed the gathering that government clinics provide re-treatment kits free of cost. The Nurse also emphasized the need for keeping nets clean and stored properly.

Impact of the Distribution: Provision of bed nets and education on malaria prevention and proper use and maintenance of nets goes a long way in reducing the incidence of malaria from the community. As a result of past distributions, we are seeing fewer cases of malaria, increased knowledge about proper use and storage of nets, fewer visits to the hospital/clinics, improved school attendance, and a higher quality of life and general well-being. 

Follow-Up Study: We will continue to conduct post-distribution follow-ups to assess the impact of nets on the incidence of malaria and on the health of beneficiary families. These follow-up studies provide us with information on the use of nets every night, proper storage and re-treatment, and health of the beneficiary families.

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 a majority of households cannot afford to purchase a net and are vulnerable to malaria in our community.

Next Distribution of Nets: We will be providing an additional 2000 nets and education on malaria prevention before the onset of the malaria season in 2015.

Request for Funds: At this time we are raising funds to provide 1000 long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLIN’s) in the Spring of 2015 and an additional 1000 nets in Fall 2015. Please donate generously as your donation will go a long way in preventing malaria and keeping the children healthy and in school.

Thanks for your dedication to prevent malaria in Zambia.

Links:

• About Project Mosquito Nets
• Results of a post-distribution study conducted in 2013
• Impact of Nets on Children's health in Zambia