Bed nets work by creating a protective barrier against deadly-malaria carrying mosquitoes that bite at night. In its different shapes, colours and designs, its use while sleeping protects, kills and repels mosquitoes so that they can’t go on to bite others who may not be protected by a net.Everyone knows mosquitoes very well for their buzzing round the ear and biting of faces and hands while sleeping. But they are not only a nuisance, but also a danger because their bites give malaria. And fever is not only a very unpleasant kind of illness, but often dangerous.
In several malaria endemic countries, poverty, faltering health systems and drug resistance have contributed to the rise in malaria infections over the last 30 years, and accounting for about 66 per cent of all clinic attendance in most Nigerian hospitals.
Unfortunately, over 90 per cent of the Nigerian population is at risk of malaria for reasons ranging from socio-cultural practices, poor environmental conditions, poor treatment seeking behaviours of individuals and low perception of the magnitude of malaria burden. Also, many people do not sleep inside mosquito bed nets.
Interestingly, Dr Taiwo Ladipo, an Assistant Director, Disease Control & Programme Manager, Malaria Control Unit, Oyo State Ministry of Health at a media parley, said that one sure way of preventing mosquito bites is the use of bed nets.
“There are different levels of controlling mosquito bites and malaria- spraying of insecticides, intermittent treatment of malaria and use of anti-malarial medicines to prevent malaria as well as the use of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).
“However, sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) is the most effective way to prevent malaria. The nets can reduce the incidence of the disease by up to 90 per cent and greatly reduce the number of malaria-related deaths if used properly.
Nets treated with biodegradable insecticides protect people from malaria in two ways: by physically preventing malaria-carrying mosquitoes reaching the skin and by killing the mosquito when it lands on the net.
“These LLINs can be used for three years and if necessary washed for between 18 and 20 times,” said Dr Ladipo.
No fewer than six million attacks of malaria occur yearly in Oyo State. In its bid to curb deaths from malaria, 1.8 million LLIN were distributed in Oyo south and Oyo central senatorial districts as part of a campaign to increase insecticide-treated net usage in the state. Each household was entitled to two nets each.
Ironically, Dr Adebola Karim-Mohammed, Oyo State coordinator, Malaria Action Programme, a USAID funded initiative with a mandate to increase number of people that sleep under mosquito-treated nets stated that only 41 per cent of households in Nigeria own a LLIN, the least number recorded in south western part of the country.
Dr Karim-Mohammed stated: “Insecticidal-treated net ownership is highest in North West and North East zones and the lowest in South West zone. One out of five households in the South West zone owns a net.”
Unfortunately, he said the states in the South west zone of the country because they have the lowest ownership of mosquito nets also record the highest burden of mosquito.
But, there are challenges in ensuring the adoption of long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) by many households. “In some instances, we heard people complaining about developing itching after sleeping inside these nets. Some people say it is usually hot sleeping inside these nets. But all these are misconceptions,” Dr Ladipo stated.
He stated: “These nets being distributed have synthetic pyrethroids, an insecticide impregnated in them. It could produce itching of the body, but this reaction is transient. That is why we ask that these insecticidal-treated nets should be spread under the shade for 24 hours before hanging and use.”
Mr Donald Ordu, an assistant director at the National Malaria Control programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, while stating that several misconceptions had contributed to poor use of mosquito nets, declared that many of these claims cannot be substantiated.
“For instance, some people claim that they cannot sleep inside white nets because white material is used in wrapping dead bodies. Some said that a person that slept in the net died, but when you follow up, you find out that this is not true.”
Mr Ordu, however, stated that the insecticidal nets can be used whereever a person decides to sleep. “The net has multiple uses, aside from using it when sleeping inside the house. It can be fixed for people to sleep under to ensure they are not beaten by mosquitoes while taking a nap outside the house on a hot day.
Afterwards, they can again be removed and hung back in the room and slept under.”
“Nets are very effective. Once you have developed the culture of sleeping under it, you will insist on sleeping in one all the time. If ordinary nets that do not have insecticides impregnated in them can give almost 100 per cent protection when properly used, you can imagine what impart an insecticidal-treated net would have on malaria prevention.”
Are there precautions to take in sleeping in these nets? According to Mr Ordu, “it is important that the nets should have small size mesh to prevent mosquitoes coming inside to bite, and that these nets should be tucked in properly.
“If the net is not treated with insecticide, the body must not be allowed to touch the net to prevent mosquito bites. Also, before sleeping inside, any mosquito that could be inside should be chased out.”
More important, Mr Ordu emphasised on buying insecticidal nets from sources that are credible. “Lots of mosquito nets are been sold in shops and open markets. They may not be LLIN; they may be the type that would require individuals treating these nets with insecticides.
“Also, there is the possibility that the nets may not have being treated with the WHO-specified insecticide and so it is important that people buy their mosquito nets from sources they are sure of.
Tribune
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