The study aims at assessing which of two distribution channels for insecticide treated bendnets (ITNs), social marketing vs. social marketing coupled with free distribution through ante-natal care, is most effective in reaching groups at high risk of malaria, i.e. pregnant women and children under 5.
The hypothesis that insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) effects may not be long-lasting in young children living in areas of intense malaria transmission due to interactions with the immunologi-cal development has now been refuted in a number of studies including the D4 study. The highly controversial question remains how African programmes can best reach a sustainable high coverage with ITNs in young children and pregnant women. Against this background it is planned to implement a cluster randomised controlled trial in Nouna Health District in Burkina Faso. Twenty-two peripheral health centres and their catchment areas will be randomised to (1) ITN provision to the general population through social marketing and (2) ITN provision to the general population through social marketing plus free provision to all pregnant women through antenatal services. The primary outcomes are ITN coverage in households and ITN use during pregnancy and infancy.
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