Key Action 1: Every Household Member Should Sleep Under an Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) Every Night
The mosquitoes that transmit the malaria parasite bite between dusk and dawn. The best way to avoid mosquito bites and prevent malaria is to sleep under an insecticide-treated net (or ITN for short) every night, all year round. An insecticide-treated net hung over the sleeping area prevents mosquitoes from biting people sleeping under it. An insecticide-treated net provides greater protection by repelling mosquitoes and killing those that land on it (U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative ). This is especially important for pregnant women and children under five, who are the most vulnerable to malaria.
Les moustiques qui transmettent le parasite du paludisme piquent entre le crépuscule et l’aube. La meilleure façon d’éviter les piqûres de moustiques et de prévenir le paludisme est de dormir sous une moustiquaire imprégnée d’insecticide (ou MII pour faire court) toutes les nuits, toute l’année. Une moustiquaire imprégnée d’insecticide accrochée au-dessus de la zone de couchage empêche les moustiques de piquer les personnes qui dorment en dessous. Une moustiquaire imprégnée d’insecticide offre une meilleure protection en repoussant les moustiques et en tuant ceux qui y atterrissent (Agence des États-Unis pour le développement international ). Ceci est particulièrement important pour les femmes enceintes et les enfants de moins de cinq ans, qui sont les plus vulnérables au paludisme.
To encourage this behavior, highlight the importance of sleeping under insecticide-treated nets for every household member every night. Be a good neighbor and citizen in your community, so community members support each other in using insecticide-treated nets.
- Every family member should sleep under an insecticide-treated net every night, all year round.
Key Messages (WHO Guidance on Malaria Vector Control ):
- Insecticide-treated nets act as a barrier that keep mosquitoes away from people. Insecticide-treated nets are also treated with a chemical barrier that repels, weakens, and kills mosquitoes.
- Insecticide-treated nets are safe to use according to the World Health Organization and are not harmful to babies, children, or adults.
- Insecticide-treated nets protect people from malaria and should not be used for other purposes.
How to Use an Insecticide-Treated Net (section adapted from Nigeria Malaria Faith Leaders Toolkit ):
- Air: Open your new mosquito net and air it out for 24 hours in a shady place before hanging and using it.
- Hang: Hang the net over the sleeping area. Tools such as string or nails can be helpful depending on the type of net.
- Sleep: Every family member should sleep under ITNs, every night, making sure to tuck the edge of the mosquito net under the bed so that the mosquitoes cannot enter.
Learn more about how to use your insecticide-treated nets and find information for hanging insecticide-treated nets over different beds .
