Mosquito Nets

• About The Solutions | 
• Mosquito Nets | 
• Spraying | 
• Vaccine | 
• Drugs | 
• Education

Long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) work by creating a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions occur. The African malaria mosquitoes generally bite late at night or early morning, between 10pm and 4am. Most mosquito nets can accommodate more than one person – a mother and an infant or a few siblings – for up to three to five years. A net treated with special insecticides offers about twice the protection of an untreated net, and through its repellency, can even protect other people in the room outside the net. When enough people (about 70 percent) sleep under LLINs, entire communities, even houses without an LLIN, can be made safer.

Malaria No More uses the contributions from the public to fund proven, established bed net distribution programs throughout Africa. Depending on where these programs operate, mosquito nets may be given away for free, like in rural areas, or through a voucher system in some urban areas.

Your gift of $10 provides a family a bed net – including the purchase, distribution and education as well as monitoring and evaluation. mosquito nets are only one tool in the comprehensive solution to control malaria, and a portion of each $10 gift supports Malaria No More's overall work to control this deadly disease. Although $10 for a bed net may not sound like much, affording it is an impossibility for most people at risk of contracting malaria. That's where Malaria No More comes in. Send a bed net and help save a life!

An Integrated Approach

Malaria No More supports an integrated approach to malaria control—including providing access to long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs), safe indoor spraying and effective medicines—as the best strategy to end malaria deaths. LLINs act as a first line of defense against the disease and have proven to be effective, especially when used in conjunction with other interventions. In Zambia, for example, the distribution of 3.6 million mosquito nets led to a reduction of malaria deaths by 47% across the country. As part of an integrated approach, nets, spraying and medicine together helped Zambia achieve a 66% reduction in malaria deaths. (Source: World Health Organization, 2009)

Net Usage Saves Lives

For a LLIN to be effective, it must first and foremost be used. As LLINs arrive in African villages, the malaria community—and, most importantly, local leaders—are working to address this challenge by making LLIN usage and fever treatment part of the local culture. 

Malaria No More's work in this area includes our two main Surround Sound programs: Xeex Sibbiru in Senegal and Zinduka in Tanzania. The driving force behind this approach is to work with local partners and marketers who can communicate about malaria in a distinctly local and trusted voice. Malaria No More is committed to providing not only the nets themselves, but the tools and knowledge to ensure their maximum effectiveness: saving lives. 

According to a November 2009 survey across four regions in Senegal, 84% of people who had access to a LLIN used it in the previous three months. This is due in part to innovative communications efforts by all of the individuals, groups and organizations—including but certainly not limited to Malaria No More and Xeex Sibbiru—that are working to empower African families to fight malaria in their own homes and communities.