PSI: News

Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets Offer Hope In Fight Against Malaria

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 22, 2002 — Africa Malaria Day on April 25 will be marked with more optimism than recent years due to increasing awareness that the insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) offers excellent protection against one of the world's deadliest diseases. However, much works remains to be done.

A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds somewhere in the world. Yet less than 5 percent of children in malarial areas sleep under treated nets, which have been shown to cut childhood mortality from malaria by 25 percent. A World Health Organization report on malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS in January mentioned ITNs as one of two "particularly strongly recommended programs that could be greatly expanded."

Population Services International (PSI) is the world's leading non-profit organization marketing ITNs, doing so in 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. Since launching its first ITN product seven years ago, PSI has sold over 1.7 million nets, 750,000 in 2001 alone. PSI also has sold over 1.7 million insecticide retreatment kits, which make nets twice as effective in preventing malaria.

PSI uses social marketing techniques, pricing, and selling the nets so that they are accessible to the poor. "Our mission is to serve low-income people," said Dr. Jane Miller, Senior ITN Advisor for PSI based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. "Most cannot afford ITNs or they live in rural areas beyond the reach of the commercial sector. While we work with private partners to expand their role in delivering commercial ITNs, we focus on ensuring that subsidized ITNs reach the low-income majority at risk of malaria. We hope that by contributing to a rapid, massive increase in ITN use, we can help many break the cycle of poverty and disease that decreases productivity and increases dependence on donor subsidies."

The argument against subsidizing ITNs has been that subsidies could not be sustained unless rich nations were prepared to provide funding indefinitely. The WHO report pointed out that various economic analyses show that these diseases are not only the product of poverty; they also create poverty. "You don't need to sustain it (donations from wealthy countries) indefinitely...Healthy people can get themselves out of poverty," said David L. Heymann, head of communicable disease programs at WHO.

PSI's main message is "Every Day is Africa Malaria Day for PSI," emphasizing the idea that the fight against malaria has to take place every day and night. And sleeping under an ITN is an excellent starting point for that fight. PSI tailors its ITN programs to the requirements of each country and this is reflected in the diversity of Africa Malaria Day (AMD) activities planned by PSI programs. Here are a few examples:

Tanzania

PSI/Tanzania, in collaboration with three Tanzanian commercial net manufacturers, will launch three "net-kit brands" — a net packaged with a retreatment kit. This creative private/ public partnership marries three popular net brands with the PSI insecticide treatment kit. Prior to this initiative, net-kits accounted for only about 10 percent of nets sold. The goal, over time, is that every net sold will be packaged with a treatment kit.

Kenya

PSI/Kenya, which in March launched the largest malaria social marketing project in the world, is organizing the erection of a 15-by-15 meter net and a series of "edu-tainment" activities promoting ITNs and taking out a special newspaper supplement with branded advertisements and articles on malaria. Monthly ITN sales since the launch are running about five times the rate of 2001 sales.

Mozambique

PSI/Mozambique will focus on interpersonal communications in health centers, schools and rural councils during the week leading up to AMD in conjunction with the government, UNICEF and World Vision. The theme of the week is "ITNs in every community." PSI/Mozambique is also running radio spots several times a day and will organize competitions and other promo events.

Madagascar

PSI/Madagascar will have a Hollywood-style Africa Malaria Day — it has produced an ITN movie that will premiere on nationwide television. Radio shows and interviews will feature malaria themes and both branded and educational radio spots will be aired. PSI's mobile video unit will show a movie and carry out games and promotional sales in clinics. Outlets that sell PSI/Madagascar's ITN brand will have promotional sales and performances for three days. Finally, the official launch of the subsidized ITN program will take place in Tamatave.

Malawi

PSI/Malawi is teaming up with the government and UNICEF to launch a nationwide expansion of existing ITN delivery program which uses antenatal clinics. This has been proven to be an excellent way to target pregnant women and children under five who are particularly vulnerable to malaria.

—David J. Olson, Senior Manager for Public Affairs, PSI/Washington

For more information on ITNs:

• Visit PSI's ITN page

• Visit PSI's ITN retreatment page

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The huge net in the background, erected on Africa Malaria Day, created excitement in Kenya about insecticide-treated mosquito nets.