Impact of mass distribution of free long-lasting insecticidal nets on childhood malaria morbidity: the Togo National Integrated Child Health Campaign.
Malar J
; 9: 199, 2010 Jul 12.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20624305
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
An evaluation of the short-term impact on childhood malaria morbidity of mass distribution of free long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to households with children aged 9-59 months as part of the Togo National Integrated Child Health Campaign.METHODS:
The prevalence of anaemia and malaria in children aged zero to 59 months was measured during two cross-sectional household cluster-sample surveys conducted during the peak malaria transmission, three months before (Sept 2004, n=2521) and nine months after the campaign (Sept 2005, n=2813) in three districts representative of Togo's three epidemiological malaria transmission regions southern tropical coastal plains (Yoto), central fertile highlands (Ogou) and northern semi-arid savannah (Tone).RESULTS:
In households with children<5 years of age, insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership increased from <1% to >65% in all 3 districts. Reported ITN use by children during the previous night was 35.9%, 43.8% and 80.6% in Yoto, Ogou and Tone, respectively. Rainfall patterns were comparable in both years. The overall prevalence of moderate to severe anaemia (Hb<8.0 g/dL) was reduced by 28% (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.72, 95% CI 0.62-0.84) and mean haemoglobin was increased by 0.35 g/dL (95% CI 0.25-0.45).The effect was predominantly seen in children aged 18-59 months and in the two southern districts PR (95% CI) for moderate to severe anaemia and clinical malaria Yoto 0.62 (0.44-0.88) and 0.49 (0.35-0.75); Ogou 0.54 (0.37-0.79) and 0.85 (0.57-1.27), respectively. Similar reductions occurred in children<18 months in Ogou, but not in Yoto. No effect was seen in the semi-arid northern district despite a high malaria burden and ITN coverage.CONCLUSIONS:
A marked reduction in childhood malaria associated morbidity was observed in the year following mass distribution of free LLINs in two of the three districts in Togo. Sub-national level impact evaluations will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of expanding national malaria control efforts.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ownership
/
Mosquito Control
/
Insecticide-Treated Bednets
/
Anemia
/
Malaria
Type of study:
Evaluation_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Newborn
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Malar J
Journal subject:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
Year:
2010
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom