Distribution of insecticide-treated bednets during an integrated nationwide immunization campaign–Togo, West Africa, December 2004

During December 13-19, 2004, Togo, a West African nation with a population of approximately 5 million, conducted the first-ever nationwide distribution of insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) for prevention of malaria. A supplemental immunization activity (SIA), conducted as part of Togo’s measles mortality reduction strategy and targeting all children aged 9-59 months, was used as an opportunity to distribute ITNs, oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), and the anti-helminthic medication, mebendazole. The campaign aimed to achieve >95% coverage among the 866,725 children aged 9-59 months with measles vaccine, OPV, one ITN, and one tablet of mebendazole. This report describes the planning, implementation, and results of this campaign, with emphasis on ITN distribution. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of integrating delivery of these services in a campaign setting.