title: The effect of free distribution of insecticide-treated nets on asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitemia in pregnant and nursing mothers in a rural Nigerian community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria is a major public health problem in Nigeria, with adverse outcomes on the poor, pregnant women and children living in rural communities. A major component of current intervention in roll back malaria (RBM) initiative is vector control and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This research studied the impact of free distribution of ITNs on malaria parasitemia in a rural community in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a longitudinal survey involving 990 pregnant and nursing mothers who received free ITNs between February 2007 and September 2008. Blood samples were collected at contact, then every 2 months to check for malaria parasites using standard methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a sustained but insignificant rise in asymptomatic malaria parasitemia post-distribution of ITNs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that ITN intervention remains important in malaria prophylaxis but must be complemented with awareness campaigns and other vector control strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology/Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Usb
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Anyaehie
authors.forename: U I
authors.initials: UI
authors.lastname: Nwagha
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Aniebue
authors.forename: T U
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Nwagha
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D007306:Insecticides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000191:economics; D009035:Mothers; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides