title: School Distribution as Keep-Up Strategy to Maintain Universal Coverage of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets: Implementation and Results of a Program in Southern Tanzania.
abstract: Tanzania successfully scaled up coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) through mass campaigns. To sustain these gains, a school-based approach was piloted in the country's Southern Zone starting in 2013, called the School Net Program 1 (SNP1). We report on the design, implementation, monitoring, and outputs of the second round (SNP2) undertaken in 2014. SNP2 was conducted in all schools in Lindi, Mtwara, and Ruvuma regions, targeting students in primary (Standards 1, 3, 5, and 7) and secondary (Forms 2 and 4) schools and all teachers. In Lindi region, 2 additional classes (Standards 2 and 4) were targeted. LLIN distribution data were managed using an Android software application called SchoolNet. SNP2 included 2,337 schools, 473,700 students, and 25,269 teachers. A total of 5,070 people were trained in LLIN distribution (487 trainers and 4,583 distributors), and 4,392 (434 ward and 3,958 village) community change agents undertook sensitization and mobilization. A total of 507,775 LLINs were distributed to schools, with 464,510 (97.9% of those registered) students and 24,206 (95.8% of those registered) school teachers receiving LLINs. LLIN ownership and use is expected to have increased, potentially further reducing the burden of malaria in the Southern Zone of Tanzania.
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Shabbir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lalji
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Jeremiah M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ngondi
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Narjis G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Thawer
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Autman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tembo
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Malaria Control Programme, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mandike
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Malaria Control Programme, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Ally
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Malaria Control Programme, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chacky
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Malaria Control Programme, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Mwalimu
authors.affiliation: U.S. President's Malaria Initiative/U.S. Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Malaria Control Programme, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaspar
authors.affiliation: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Tanzania Red Cross Society, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mlay
authors.affiliation: Tanzania Red Cross Society, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Kheri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.affiliation: Tanzania Red Cross Society, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lweikiza
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Anold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mutafungwa
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nzowa
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Ritha A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Willilo
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Waziri
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nyoni
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dadi
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Mahdi M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ramsan
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reithinger
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Magesa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D007306:Insecticides; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control; D010067:Ownership; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012574:Schools; D013636:Tanzania
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides