Bed Nets - Questions and Answers

Why sleep under a bed net?

• Insecticide-treated-bed nets (ITNs) are widely accepted as one of the most cost–effective malaria prevention measures. The mosquito that transmits malaria (female Anopheles) bites exclusively at night, primarily between 23h:00 and 5h:00.

Is an untreated net effective?

• The cheapest bed nets are untreated. Untreated nets do provide a barrier against mosquitoes and can be effective, however mosquitoes can enter an untreated net if it is torn or hung badly. Mosquitoes can bite any part of the body that is in contact with the net and mosquitoes still fly around the nets making noise which disturbs sleep.

What is the advantage of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs)?

• Treated nets have a repellent effect on mosquitoes and kill those that land on the net. Unlike untreated nets, ITNs provide some protection to others in the room because of their repellent effect and vector killing capability. The insecticide treated nets create a chemical halo that extends beyond the net itself - which tends to repel or deter the mosquitoes from biting and may shorten the mosquito’s life span so that it cannot transmit the infection. Most ITNs need to be re-treated periodically to maintain their effectiveness.

How are the nets treated?

• Nets are normally treated with permethrin. Studies have shown that permethrin has a non-toxic effect on human beings and other mammals but is highly toxic to mosquitoes and other insects such as lice, ticks and bedbugs. An initial treatment is usually applied at the factory before the nets are sold. Re-treatment requires a dipping that can be done at home, in a shop or dipping facility or is sometimes done at organized dipping days for the whole community. Partnerships with the private sector and NGOs are required to make this strategy sustainable.

What are the best ITNs?

• The newly developed, long lasting treated nets retain their insecticidal properties for 4 to 5 years - which is the life span of the net.

What is the cost of an insecticide treated bed net?

• A long lasting insecticide treated bed net costs approximately $5. – an unaffordable price for people living in extreme poverty.

Paula Daeppen