Location          :Navrongo - Ghana

Investigators  :F.N. Binka, A. Kubaje, M. Adjuik, L.A. Williams, C. Lengeler, G.H. Maude,  G.E. Armah, B. Kajihara, J.H. Adiamah, P.G.Smith.

Collaboration   :Navrongo Health Research Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine  (LSHTM),  Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. 

Funding             :UNDP/World Bank/WHO-TDR, International Development Research centre (Canada), UNICEF (Ghana), UK Medical Council

Period Covered: 07/1993 - 06/1995

OBJECTIVES

The goal of the study was to evaluate the impact of permetrine impregnated bednets on child mortality and the determinants of its effectiveness in an area of northern Ghana.

SUMMARY

These goals were pursued using a muti-disciplinary approach, accessing the epidemiological, entomological, social and economic impact of the intervention. This community-based, controlled trial of permethrin impregnated bednets was carried out in a rural area of northern Ghana.  The district was divided into 96 geographical areas and 48 randomly selected clusters were provided with permetrine impregnated bednets, which were re-impregnated every 6 months. Entomological data were collected continuously a year before the intervention and over the two year period of follow-up.

RESULTS

The use of permethrin impregnated bednets was associated with 17% reduction in all- cause mortality in children aged 6 months to 4 years. The reduction in mortality was confined to children aged 2 years or younger and was greater in the wet season (a period of high malaria mortality) than in the dry season. Bednets offered good personal protection to users and provided protection for their nearby non-user neighbors. There was no evidence foe the diversion of mosquitoes from user to non-user compounds