How do the nets protect the families? What helps protect them during the day when they are outside of their homes?
There are many different ways to prevent malaria. Bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and water treatment are all important tools. A long-lasting insecticide-treated net is one of the most effective tools to prevent malaria. Studies show that the use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage rates. Bed nets prevent malaria transmission by creating a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions occur. The malaria causing parasite – Plasmodium – is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito, which is nocturnal. That is, she only bites at night, generally between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. As such, bed nets are an extremely effective prevention tool. A bed net is usually hung above the center of a bed or sleeping space so that it completely covers the sleeping person, or family. A net treated with insecticide offers about twice the protection of an untreated net and can reduce the number of
