Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are effective tools for malaria prevention and can significantly reduce severe disease and mortality due to malaria, especially among children under five in endemic areas. However, ITN coverage and use remain low and inequitable among different socio-economic groups in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Several strategies have been proposed to increase coverage and use and reduce inequity in Nigeria, including free distribution campaigns recently conducted by the Nigerian federal government. Using data from the first post-campaign survey, the authors of this study investigated the effect of the mass free distribution campaigns in achieving equity in household ownership and use of ITNs. They concluded that the campaign had a significant impact by increasing ITN coverage and reducing inequity in ownership and use. The authors recommend that free ITN distribution campaigns should be sustained to increase equitable coverage. These campaigns should be supplemented with other ITN distribution strategies to cover newborns and replace aging nets.

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Citation: Ye et al.: Can universal insecticide-treated net campaigns achieve equity in coverage and use? The case of northern Nigeria. Malaria Journal 2012 11:32.

Country: Nigeria