Distribution of insecticide-treated bednets during a polio immunization campaign–Niger, 2005

The West African country of Niger (2005 population: approximately 14 million) is among the poorest in the world. In 2005, malaria was reported in approximately 760,000 persons and caused 2,000 deaths; however, surveillance has been inadequate, and the true numbers likely were even higher. In 2004, the overall mortality rate in Niger among children aged <5 years was 259 per 1,000 live births. At least 8% of these deaths likely were caused by malaria, and the actual proportion might be as high as 50%. In addition, Niger was one of only 10 countries with poliomyelitis during the first 3 months of 2006, and the risk for polio importation from neighboring Nigeria is high. Routine polio vaccination coverage remains low in Niger; in 2003, coverage with 3 doses of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was 54%. To reduce the prevalence of malaria and bolster polio eradication measures, Niger’s Ministry of Health, with support from international partners, launched a nationwide integrated health campaign in 2005. In coordination with a supplemental immunization activity (SIA) distributing OPV, long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) for malaria prevention were provided free of charge to mothers of children aged <5 years. In sub-Saharan Africa, ITNs have reduced all-cause mortality in children aged 1-59 months by 17%. This was the second such national campaign worldwide; the first was conducted in Togo in December 2004. This report describes findings from a survey of Niger’s integrated health campaign and highlights differences with the campaign in Togo.