Lots Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS) as a Strategy to Achieving Quality LLIN Campaigns: The Nigerian Experience

Abstract

Background: Nigeria, in its quest to scale up coverage and utilization of LLINs as a strategy for malaria control, had the first long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) mass campaign across the country between 2009-2013. The NMEP with support from its RBM partners successfully distributed over 57.7 million LLINs during the period representing over 90% of the national target. In spite this, and to achieve universal coverage, the country maintained a continuous distribution through multiple channels and in particular the antenatal care outlets and the expanded programme on immunization. The Nigerian government, with support from the Global Fund and through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and the Society for Family Health (SFH) and with technical support from the World Health Organization, once again launched the LLIN replacement campaign in some states across the country. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five states that conducted the LLIN replacement campaign using the lots quality assurance survey (LQAS) tool developed by the World Health Organization. The period of the survey across the states is between August and December 2017. The LQAS questionnaires were administered to households (HHs) by the WHO field officers trained on the use of the tool at least one week after the campaign. A total of 240 HHs were selected from 24 settlements (clusters) in 24 wards of six LGAs (lots) from each of the five (5) states that rolled out the campaign. Data collected were double entered, cleaned, crosschecked, and the results analysed using the SPSS version 24. Results: With a total of 9740 people surveyed from 1200 HHs across the five states, the average redemption rate was 95.5% (95% CI, 91.6% -98.8%), average reten-How to cite this paper:

Quality Micro-Planning Processes - Key Strategy for Achieving High Quality LLINs Campaign: Pilot Report from Cross-River State Nigeria

“…This is very important in Nigeria especially now that target population based on projection is source of worry to programmers [22,30]. Population estimates guide the mobilization of households and distribution of net cards which if not done properly results in missed households and low retention rates as documented in [4][5]25]. The development of accurate route maps during microplanning has been demonstrated to improve the outcomes of the campaign process [30].…”

“…Good trainings before actual implementation is very necessary for overall quality of campaigns as illustrated in panchayats (village committee) in Mewat [23]. The importance of training and capacity building among health workers and implementers cannot be over-emphasized since it reflects high quality LLINs campaign [4][5]. This process provided opportunity for the training of 11,864 personnels in the state who were not only trained on the technical issues but also on the skills of how to conduct micro-planning process not only to LLINs but also in other health interventions.…”

“…Nigeria is one of the two epicenters of malaria transmission across the globe and contributes to 40 percent of global malaria burden (2). The LLINs distribution campaign initiated by Nigeria government is one of the significant and nationally acceptable strategic routes of delivering mosquito nets to the entire population across the country in order to reduce malaria burden [2][3][4][5]. The government of Nigeria, with support from the Global Fund and United States President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Breakthrough Action Nigeria rolled out the LLIN replacement campaign in 2019 [3][4][5].…”

Suspected Malaria Outbreak Investigations in Baure LGA, Katsina State, Nigeria

“…The global fight against malaria represents one of public health's greatest triumphs as mortality caused by the disease plummeted by nearly 60% [5]. Although many countries across the globe have significantly reduced the burden of malaria with the recommended core prevention tools, still there exist significant gaps in coverage especially in low-income countries [3] [6] [7] [8] [9]. Open Access Library Journal The data collected during the investigations included age, sex, residential address, signs, and symptoms, RDT status, treatment and outcome.…”

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, 663 million cases of malaria were prevented between 2010 and 2015 as a direct result of the scale-up core malaria interventions with insecticide-treated nets having the most significant impact averting about 69% of cases of malaria[3] [4] [6][7] [8][9]. However, 43% of people who are at risk of malaria are not protected from mosquito bites with the LLINs or indoor spraying of insecticides.…”