Coverage and system efficiencies of insecticide-treated nets in Africa from 2000 to 2017.

Journal article

Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) for malaria control are widespread but coverage remains inadequate. We developed a Bayesian model using data from 102 national surveys, triangulated against delivery data and distribution reports, to generate year-by-year estimates of four ITN coverage indicators. We explored the impact of two potential 'inefficiencies': uneven net distribution among households and rapid rates of net loss from households. We estimated that, in 2013, 21% (17%-26%) of ITNs were over-allocated and this has worsened over time as overall net provision has increased. We estimated that rates of ITN loss from households are more rapid than previously thought, with 50% lost after 23 (20-28) months. We predict that the current estimate of 920 million additional ITNs required to achieve universal coverage would in reality yield a lower level of coverage (77% population access). By improving efficiency, however, the 920 million ITNs could yield population access as high as 95%.

Authors: Bhatt, S; Weiss, D; Mappin, B; Dalrymple, U; Cameron, E

• Publication status: In press
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications
• Journal: eLife
• Volume: 4
• Publication date: 2015-01-01
• DOI: 10.7554/elife.09672
• EISSN: 2050-084X
• Language: English
• Keywords: human; global health; epidemiology