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Distribution of Insecticide-Treated Bednets During a Polio Immunization Campaign --- Niger, 2005

mm5533a2.htm
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The West African country of Niger (2005 population: approximately 14 million) is among the poorest in the world. In 2005, malaria was reported in approximately 760,000 persons and caused 2,000 deaths; however, surveillance has been inadequate, and the true numbers likely were even higher (1). In 2004, the overall mortality rate in Niger among children aged <5 years was 259 per 1,000 live births (2). At least 8% of these deaths likely were caused by malaria, and the actual proportion might be as high as 50% (3). In addition, Niger was one of only 10 countries with poliomyelitis during the first 3 months of 2006, and the risk for polio importation from neighboring Nigeria is high. Routine polio vaccination coverage remains low in Niger; in 2003, coverage with 3 doses of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was 54% (4,5). To reduce the prevalence of malaria and bolster polio eradication measures, Niger's Ministry of Health, with support from international partners,* launched a nationwide integrated health campaign in 2005. In coordination with a supplemental immunization activity (SIA) distributing OPV, long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs)† for malaria prevention were provided free of charge to mothers of children aged <5 years. In sub-Saharan Africa, ITNs have reduced all-cause mortality in children aged 1--59 months by 17% (6). This was the second such national campaign worldwide; the first was conducted in Togo in December 2004 (7). This report describes findings from a survey of Niger's integrated health campaign and highlights differences with the campaign in Togo. . . .
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