Malaria prevention in Liberian children: Impacts of bed net ownership and use.
详细信息
文摘
Malaria eradication has become a hot topic in economic growth and development policy, especially in highly endemic regions like sub-Saharan Africa. The malaria burden in Liberia is significant and impacts health and overall productivity of the country. Although similar studies have been conducted in other sub-Saharan African countries, the current study utilizes newly available data collected under the National Malaria Control Program, implemented in 2005, to evaluate the impact of insecticide-treated bed net disbursements on reducing the prevalence of malaria in Liberian children under the age of five. ITN use was found to have a significant impact on reducing the risk of malaria for Liberian children under the age of five. The effect, however, was not robust for ITN ownership. Implications for policy include bolstering ITN disbursement programs in conjunction with nutrition and malaria social marketing initiatives.