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International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

Project profile

Donor: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

Duration: 1994 - 1996

Contact person:

Peter R. Berti, PhD

Nutrition Advisor / Deputy Director

Market Assessment Insecticide Treated Nets in sub-Saharan Africa: 4-country study

Malaria remains the number one killer of children in sub-Saharan Africa. In response, malaria control programmes now place greater emphasis on avoiding contact with malaria vectors and household responsibility for self-protection. Controlled trials, supported by IDRC and WHO, have shown convincing evidence of the efficacy of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in reducing mortality from malaria. The public, donors, and governments are expressing a greater interest in insecticide-treated mosquito nets as one strategy for malaria control.

This project aimed to identify and analyze key constraints to the supply of, and demand for, mosquito nets and insecticides in sub-Saharan Africa. Results were meant for use by planners to develop more effective implementation strategies at local, national, and regional levels. A special focus was put on strategies that would make mosquito nets and insecticides available through the private and informal sector.

At the time of this project, governments subsidized the purchase of treated nets. However, the supply of the nets for populations at risk through commonly used commercial and informal networks remained low. Donors, governments, and non-governmental health programmes were therefore searching for strategies to increase access to mosquito nets and insecticides and to promote widespread, periodic re-treatment of mosquito nets for malaria control.

Objectives

• To conduct market research in Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and Burkina Faso to identify user profiles, assess existing use of mosquito nets, and clarify factors that determined their purchase, price, use and availability;
• To perform an analysis of regional and national trade and economic barriers to demand for mosquito nets and insecticides by sub-Saharan African populations (e.g. tariffs and duties, sales taxes);
• To develop feasibility planning for two national level workshops to bring together ministries of finance and health, manufacturers, health workers, and NGOs to identify local options to improve the trade and/or production environment with respect to netting and insecticides.

Results

Report

Barriers to Trade in Mosquito Nets and Insecticides in sub-Saharan Africa

Location: Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and Burkina Faso