COMMUNITY-BASED SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND INSECTICIDE IMPREGNATION OF MOSQUITO NETS IN BAGAMOYO DISTRICT, TANZANIA

When insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets are used in malaria control programmes, distribution, promotion of usage and impregnation with in secticide are typically the responsibility of the personnel of the pro gramme. In order to create a more sustainable system for implementing bed net interventions, a bed net committee was formed in each of 13 vi llages in the study area. Implementation is proceeding by stages in 4 groups of 3-4 villages each to allow committee members and project per sonnel to identify problems and solve them before implementation start s in the next area. Once nominated and confirmed in a village meeting, committee members attend a day-long seminar in which they discuss how distribution, sales of nets and impregnation should take place. Commi ttee members not only help on 'distribution days', but also promote pr oper usage of the nets and assist villagers who have difficulties sett ing up the nets. A revolving fund is being established for each villag e to pay committee members and purchase nets and insecticide after the project ends. Factors which may affect the sustainability of this sys tem are discussed.