Public Health in Practice Mosquito Nets

Introduction Obviously, a mosquito net offers protection against mosquitoes and other tiny, biting insects. When used properly it stops the spread of insect-borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, West Nile and certain forms of encephalitis.

Introduction The nets are made from cotton, polyester, polyethylene or nylon fibre. Polyethylene seems to last the longest. Mesh size has to be at least 1.2 mm in order to stop mosquitoes. A mesh size of 0.6 mm stops other, smaller, biting insects.

History of Usage Mosquito nets have been used throughout modern history, particularly with any big building project in a tropical region (i.e. Suez Canal construction in 1871).

History of Usage Famous rulers in tropical regions like Cleopatra and Shaka are thought to have slept under them.

Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are twice as effective as untreated nets and offer up to 70% greater protection than with no net. These nets are the single most effective preventative measure against malaria today.

Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) Most ITNs need insecticide to be re-applied to the net after 6 washes ($3.00 US). Newer long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) will give off insecticide for up to 5 years depending on the material used ($5.50 US DawaPlus and Olycet).

Nothing But Nets Nothing But Nets is a charitable organization, supported by the United Nations, which aims to prevent African children from dying of malaria by purchasing, distributing and teaching the proper use of mosquito bed nets. Started by a columnist from Sports Illustrated!

Spread the Net Spread the Net is a non profit organization in collaboration with UNICEF, that raises money to give bed nets to people in regions of Africa afflicted with malaria. Spread the Net was co- founded and is co-chaired with Rick Mercer from the Mercer Report, and Belinda Stronach, a member of the Canadian Parliament from 2004 to 2008.

Spread the Net The goal of Spread the Net is to purchase and distribute 500,000 insecticide treated bed nets worth about $10 each, for families in Liberia and Rwanda. The campaign has donated 537,700 nets as of May 2012.

Malaria Bites The Canadian Red Cross works with Red Cross Societies in Africa to provide nets free of charge in some of the world’s most malaria-affected countries. Red Cross has already hand delivered nearly five million directly to families in Sierra Leone, Zambia, Niger, Mozambique, Malawi, Mali, Madagascar, Nigeria and Togo, thanks to the generous support of the Canadian International Development Agency and Canadian donors. This is a 100% Canadian initiative.

Buy a Net A local Kingston based organization! Canada's first citizen driven initiative aimed at the prevention of malaria, one village at a time. Uganda is the first target country. Volunteer driven, registered charitable organization. In partnership with community based groups, long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets and anti-malaria medicines are distributed free-of-charge.

Buy a Net Mission Statement “$6 BUCKS, BUY-A-NET, SAVE A LIFE” Buy-A-Net raises awareness and the funds for the procurement of long-lasting, insecticide treated bed nets and anti-malaria medicine.

Buy a Net Purpose Reduce illness and death due to malaria through workable strategies in advocacy, education, prevention and treatment. Implement BAN’s community based model to fight the disease. Adopt and support the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and policies. Share best practices.

Buy a Net What We Do Prevent malaria infection through the provision of long lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets to communities, free-of-charge, and treat malaria infections with the provision of anti-malaria medications free-of-charge to those community based groups that have the capacity to diagnose, administer and monitor drug use. Educate and promote good health seeking behavior for prompt treatment of malaria. Engage in seeking out national and international partners to maximize technical and financial resources, and to share best practices. Monitor and evaluate compliance and effectiveness of malaria control interventions.

Homework 1) Why is mosquito netting important for those people who live in tropical regions? 2) What are some of the insect borne diseases that mosquito netting help protect against? 3) Compare no net, untreated nets, ITNs and LLINs in the criteria of price, durability and protection. 4) What are some ways, we in Canada, prevent mosquito bites? How effective are these methods?