New nets project Mozambique evaluation

The Issue

Substantial progress has been made in malaria control over the past two decades, largely through the distribution of insecticidal treated nets (ITN). However, insecticide resistance to standard pyrethroid nets threatens our ability to make further gains. Nets with new active ingredients are poised to reduce malaria transmission further, but first, strong evidence of their public health value is needed. PATH, under the UNITAID-funded New Nets Project led by IVCC, commissioned Tropical Health to oversee and implement observational study activities in Mozambique to assess the epidemiological and entomological impact of these new types of nets in six districts. The work is closely coordinated with Mozambique’s National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and the Mozambique National Institute of Health (INS).

Our Approach

Tropical Health, working alongside NMCP and INS, planned the implementation of four study components. A baseline, midline, and endline cross-sectional household survey will assess ITN ownership, access, use, and measure malaria prevalence. Data quality assessments at health facilities will be used to strengthen reporting of malaria case incidence into the national health information system. Entomological monitoring will assess malaria vector biting rates, entomological inoculation rates, and patterns of insecticide resistance. The study also uses a durability monitoring protocol developed by Tropical Health to monitor attrition, physical durability, and insecticidal effectiveness of the new nets.

Tropical Health will deliver monthly data-quality and entomological reports, and baseline, midline, and endline reports for the cross-sectional survey and durability monitoring components. Data will be used to generate evidence for malaria programmes and their technical and financial partners to decide where and when to distribute new types of nets and standard pyrethroid nets.

Our Findings

Findings will be updated as the project progresses.