title: Bed net ownership in Kenya: the impact of 3.4 million free bed nets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In July and September 2006, 3.4 million long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) were distributed free in a campaign targeting children 0-59 months old (CU5s) in the 46 districts with malaria in Kenya. A survey was conducted one month after the distribution to evaluate who received campaign LLINs, who owned insecticide-treated bed nets and other bed nets received through other channels, and how these nets were being used. The feasibility of a distribution strategy aimed at a high-risk target group to meet bed net ownership and usage targets is evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A stratified, two-stage cluster survey sampled districts and enumeration areas with probability proportional to size. Handheld computers (PDAs) with attached global positioning systems (GPS) were used to develop the sampling frame, guide interviewers back to chosen households, and collect survey data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In targeted areas, 67.5% (95% CI: 64.6, 70.3%) of all households with CU5s received campaign LLINs. Including previously owned nets, 74.4% (95% CI: 71.8, 77.0%) of all households with CU5s had an ITN. Over half of CU5s (51.7%, 95% CI: 48.8, 54.7%) slept under an ITN during the previous evening. Nearly forty percent (39.1%) of all households received a campaign net, elevating overall household ownership of ITNs to 50.7% (95% CI: 48.4, 52.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The campaign was successful in reaching the target population, families with CU5s, the risk group most vulnerable to malaria. Targeted distribution strategies will help Kenya approach indicator targets, but will need to be combined with other strategies to achieve desired population coverage levels.
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control, Center for Global Health, Mailstop F22, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. awh1@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hightower
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiptui
authors.forename: Ayub
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manya
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolkon
authors.forename: Jodi Leigh
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vanden Eng
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: Abdisalan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noor
authors.forename: Shahnaz K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buluma
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vulule
authors.forename: Kayla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laserson
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slutsker
authors.forename: Willis
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Akhwale
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D007630:Kenya; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D010067:Ownership / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*