Malaria is one of the leading killers of children under age five in Uganda. Yet one of the most successful efforts to reduce malaria internationally has come from simply sleeping under a bed net or insecticide treated net (ITN). Studies have shown that malaria incidence drops by up to 50% with ITN use, and the beneficial effects spread even to those sleeping outside the ITNs due to reduced parasite burden spreading through local mosquito populations. In 2010, Omni Med partnered with the NGO TAMTAM (Together Against Malaria) in Ntenjeru sub county where they distributed and hung up ITNs for local villagers. They found a 30% increased usage rate locally. For years, Omni Med has sought to develop an ITN distribution and monitoring program. Then, in 2015, we received a three-year grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics ICATCH (International Community Access To Child Health) Program. In this program model, Omni Med trained VHTs distributed ITNs through local villages and tracked the results. One of the villages is summarized in the table below. Although Uganda participates in massive ITN distribution campaigns, many households are missed; ITNs are lost, tear, wear out, etc. There is a constant need for effective monitoring and replacement. Our program structure involves training VHTs to serve as ITN Monitors who make sure that villagers (particularly children and pregnant women) are using their ITNs and can obtain a replacement when necessary. 2017 comprises the third and final year of the ICATCH program grant. It is also the year that we incorporate the ITN Distribution Program into our Enhanced VHT model. Please see the Enhanced VHT Trial on our Research Page. 

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