PROMOTING OPERATIONAL-RESEARCH ON INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETTING - A JOINT TDR IDRC INITIATIVE AND CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS/

The evidence in favour of insecticide-treated nets for reducing mortal ity from malaria among Africa children is becoming compelling. In orde r to support the next step in the development of this promising interv ention the UNDP/WorId Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Trai ning in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and the International Development Rese arch Centre (IDRC) decided to launch a joint initiative on operational research. In the first step, 3 reviews on the essential aspects of ne t technology, programme implementation and programme promotion were co mmissioned and will be published soon as a book. Secondly, expert opin ion was sought regarding priority topics for research. Finally, a firs t round of research projects was funded and a call for more proposals is being widely advertised.