FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION FOR UNIVERSAL COVERAGE OF LONG-LASTING INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETS
THEMES
1. What does Universal Coverage (UC)of Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) mean?
2. What kinds of bed nets are distributed?
3. Who should use an LLIN?
4. Is there a particular period during the year when you must sleep under a LLIN?
5. When should you use your LLIN?
6. How do you use a LLIN?
7. How do you wash your LLIN?
8. How do you dry your LLIN?
9. What can you do to keep your LLIN in good condition for many years?
10. How does using a LLIN help to save money?
11. Who is responsible for making sure that all the family sleeps under a LLIN all year and every night?
12. How can a rectangular LLIN be transformed into a circular LLIN?
1. What does Universal Coverage (UC)of Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) mean?
v Universal Coverage is the distribution of LLINs to families following a census of all sleeping spaces with every household.
v LLINs are distributed so that all sleeping spaces are covered by a net. The objective is that all family members sleep under a LLIN to protect themselves from malaria.
2. What kinds of bed nets are distributed?
v The Ministry of Health, with support from partners, distributes the Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN).
v LLINs are specially treated with an insecticide that is harmless to humans but which repels or kills mosquitoes.
v LLINs are recommended by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) as a safe and effective way to protect people from malaria.
3. Who should use an LLIN?
All the family
v All members of the family need to sleep under a LLIN.
v By sleeping under a LLIN, all family members are protected against the bites of mosquitoes that cause malaria.
4. Is there a time during the year when you must sleep under an LLIN?
All year long
v In Senegal, the risk for contracting malaria is all year long, regardless of the season.
v Even after the rainy season, the mosquitoes are still there and continue to bite even if there are fewer of them and they are less visible.
v The mosquitoes that transmit malaria are always there and during all seasons.
5. When should you use your LLIN?
Every night
v Nightime is the time when mosquitoes that carry malaria bite, and when they bite they transmit malaria.
v LLINs must be used every night, and all night long, regardless of where the sleeping space is located.
v It is important to always use the LLIN whether you are sleeping in a room inside the house or outside, and whether it is warm or cold.
RemEMber
«The 3 Alls»
The LLIN must be used by:
All the family
All year long
Every (All) night
BECAUSE MOSQUITOES ARE ALWAYS THERE!
6. How do you use a LLIN?
v Hang the net in the shade for at least 24 hours before using it for the first time: if this is not done, a new LLIN can cause skin irritations.
v Attach the LLIN making sure that it covers the entire sleeping space: if this is not done, mosquitoes can get in and bite you while you are sleeping.
v Be sure to tuck the LLIN under the mattress or mat; mosquitoes are like hunters, they look for every opportunity to get inside the bed net and bite you.
v The sole purpose of a LLIN is to protect people from malaria; any other use such as protecting seedlings or crops or to make dresses, etc. is strongly discouraged.
7. How do you wash your LLIN?
v Wash your LLIN only when necessary. But be careful! After 20 washes, the insecticide used to prevent or kill mosquitoes is no longer effective.
v Wash the LLIN with room temperature water and ordinary soap
v Bleach and powder and liquid detergents are too strong and make your LLIN ineffective against mosquitoes
v Scrub gently: the LLIN is fragile and can easily tear.
8. How do you dry your LLIN?
v Always dry the LLIN in the shade and never in full sun light; sunlight destroys the insecticide in the LLIN and can make your net ineffective against mosquitoes.
v Avoid hanging your LLIN on fences or walls to dry since these kinds of surfaces can easily cause tears. The best choice is to hang your LLIN on a clothes line in the shade to allow it to air out and dry.
REmember
The Golden Rules for Washing and Drying
1. Wash you net only when necessary
2. Use water without heating it and ordinary soap and avoid scrubbing too hard
3. Do not forget to always dry the net in the shade
9. What else can you do to keep your LLIN in good shape for many years?
v Tie your net into a big knot for circular nets, or for rectangular nets, take the net down and fold it so that it is protected during the day.
v Make sure that there isn’t anything that can tear the impregnated net; be especially careful when moving it or taking it down in the house.
v Repair your net right away if it gets a hole or is ripped. It can be easily repaired with a needle and thread. You should not allow any opportunities for mosquitoes to get into your net and to bite you during the night.
v You need to replace your impregnated net after 3 years or 20 washes.
Remember
Protect your LLIN and it will protect you in return!
10. How does using a LLIN help you to save money?
v When a LLIN is used correctly by all the family, all year long and every night, it helps to protect everyone from malaria which means less money needs to be spent on medicine and transportation to travel to health facilities for care.
v If everyone follows the «3 Alls» there will be fewer days lost for work or school.
v LLINs can last up to 3 years without needing to regularly spend money for anti-mosquito spirals and sprays.
11. Who is responsible for making sure that everyone sleeps under an LLIN all year long and every night?
v Parents are responsible for ensuring that there is food, shelter, schooling and health care for the family.
v Parents also need to be sure that all members of the family sleep under a LLIN to protect them from malaria.
ReMEMBER
The health of your family is your responsibility: Protect your family. Ensure that everyone sleeps under a LLIN all year round and every night.
12. How can you transform a rectangular LLIN into a circular net?
v Find where diagonal points on the upper part of the net come together.
v Place a circular support (bucket lid, hoop, tubing, etc.) inside the mosquito net where the diagonal points come together.
v In the middle of the LLIN attach a cord or a piece of iron shaped into an «S» to make it easier to move.
DO NOT FORGET!
The LLIN must be used by:
ALL THE FAMILY
ALL YEAR ROUND
EVERY NIGHT
Because mosquitoes are always there!