Toolkit for continuous distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets

The Issue

Malaria prevention with long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LLIN) has seen a tremendous scale-up in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years. To achieve universal coverage with LLINs, WHO recommends continuous distribution in addition to or instead of mass LLIN campaigns. Continuous distribution of LLINs through community structures and schools is relatively new and operational guidelines were lacking.
As part of the PMI VectorWorks project, a five-year $60 million cooperative agreement led by the John Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Tropical Health developed technical content for a comprehensive website toolkit for planning and implementing continuous LLIN distribution through schools, communities, and health facilities, providing step-by-step recommendations for national malaria control programme planners.

Our Approach

Drawing on learnings from early continuous distribution pilots, Tropical Health drafted comprehensive and concise instructions for designing continuous insecticide-treated net strategies, engaging stakeholders, and quantifying LLIN needs. Tropical Health collated and curated sample documents for each stage of the planning and implementation process from across five countries. Working with the project lead, website content and sample tools were uploaded into a user-friendly website where planners, donors, and implementing partners had everything they needed for continuous distribution at their fingertips.

Our Findings

The cdtoolkit.org website was disseminated through a series of webinars and RBM Partnership to End Malaria meetings, and was an essential resource during Alliance for Malaria Prevention trainings on mass campaigns and continuous distribution of LLINs. The site is highly accessed. The comprehensive toolkit is currently in use by a large number of malaria stakeholders partners to plan and implement continuous LLIN distribution across sub-Saharan Africa.