Increasing Anti-Malaria Bednet Uptake Using Information and Distribution Strategies: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Senegal

Abstract

We evaluate the effects of different marketing and distribution techniques on the purchase of LongLasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LL-ITN). Using a randomized controlled trial in urban Senegal, we look at the impacts of receiving information on malaria-related issues and of different sale treatments. We find that overall information has no significant effect on the demand for LL-ITNs, but has a significant effect on individuals who have never attended school and have poor knowledge of malaria. Receiving an offer to purchase an LL-ITN with a voucher valid for 7 days increases purchases by 23 percentage points, compared to an on-the-spot sale offer.2 Highlights  We evaluate the effects of different marketing and distribution techniques on the effective purchase of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LL-ITN)  We find that overall information has no significant effect on the demand for LL-ITNs, but has a significant effect on individuals who have never attended school, have poor knowledge of malaria and did not own any bednet at the baseline  We find that receiving a 7-day voucher significantly increases purchases by 23 percentage points, compared to an on-the-spot sale offer