‘The burden of leprosy continues to decline globally as a result of sustained efforts carried out by national leprosy programmes along with continued support from both national and international partners. It is important that all countries where the disease is endemic continue to sustain the current declines in the disease.

‘The enhanced global strategy1 emphasizes reducing grade-2 disabilities among new cases; thus it is important that cases are detected early, that patients complete a course of multidrug therapy in a timely manner, and that they are cured. Improving the management of complications through the development of an effective referral

service and increased community awareness about the disease will ensure that cases present for diagnosis at an early stage and will help reduce the disease burden further.

‘It is expected that issues relating to stigma, discrimination and rehabilitation can be tackled in a more integrated and inclusive manner by working in collaboration with partner agencies and associations for people affected by leprosy.’

WHAT’S NEW THIS SUNDAY ON WWW.CHILDSURVIVAL.NET: RED APPROACH IN THE AFRICAN REGION; PREDICTORS OF MOSQUITO NET USE IN GHANA; NET USE IN ZAMBIA; HEALTH DISPARITIES BETWEEN MUSLIM AND NON-MUSLIM COUNTRIES; INDIA’S PROGRESS IN MEASLES MORTALITY REDUCTION

• RED APPROACH IN THE AFRICAN REGION

'The RED framework should continue to be used to strengthen the immunization delivery system to meet continuing new demands, such as the introduction of new vaccines and integrated delivery of other child survival interventions.'

Best viewed at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19542268

Journal of Public Health

J Public Health (2010) 32 (1): 18-25. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdp048 First published online: June 19, 2009

Reaching every district (RED) approach to strengthen routine immunization services: evaluation in the African region, 2005§

T. Ryman, Public Health Advisor1, R. Macauley, Immunization Officer2,

D. Nshimirimana, Immunization and Vaccine Development Program Manager2,

P. Taylor, Project Director3, L. Shimp, Immunization Technical Advisor3 and K. Wilkins, Public Health Advisor1

+ Author Affiliations

1Global Immunization Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-E05, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA

2Division of Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Boite Postale 6, Brazzaville, Congo

3IMMUNIZATIONbasics, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., 1616 N, Fort Myer Drive, Ste 1100, Arlington, VA 22209, USA

Address correspondence to T. Ryman, E-mail: cnu8@cdc.gov

Abstract

Background This evaluation was undertaken in 2005, in the African region, to better understand the reaching every district (RED) implementation process that provides a framework for strengthening immunization services at the district level.

Methods In June 2005, a convenience sample of five countries was selected to evaluate the implementation of RED. Evaluation teams consisting of key partners conducted site visits to the national, district and health facility levels using standardized qualitative questionnaires.

Results RED was implemented in a similar manner in all five countries, i.e. starting with training and micro-planning. All RED components were implemented to some degree in the countries. Common implementation factors included development of plans, expanding outreach services (defined as services provided in sites outside fixed immunization sites), planning of supervisory visits and efforts to link with communities and utilize community volunteers. Monitoring tools such as wall charts and maps were observed and reportedly used.

Conclusions Evaluation of the RED implementation process provided evidence of improvement in delivery of routine immunization services. The RED framework should continue to be used to strengthen the immunization delivery system to meet continuing new demands, such as the introduction of new vaccines and integrated delivery of other child survival interventions.

·         PREDICTORS OF NET USE IN GHANA

Carol A Baume and Ana Claudia Franca Koh

‘The results of this study suggest that net use would increase in Ghana if coloured nets were made available in mass distributions as well as in the commercial market; if programmes emphasize that malaria is caused only by night-biting mosquitoes, and that nets protect against mosquitoes better than coils and need to be used even if coils are burning; if donated nets are replaced more frequently so that households have nets that are in good condition; and if there were support for the commercial market…’

Full text is at http://www.malariajournal.com/content/pdf/1475-2875-10-265.pdf

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Malaria Journal 2011, 10:265 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-265

Published: 15 September 2011

Abstract (provisional)

Background

During the past decade the malaria control community has been successful in dramatically increasing the number of households that own mosquito nets. However, as many as half of nets already in households go unused. This study examines the factors associated with use of nets owned in Ghana.

Methods

The data come from an August 2008 survey in Ghana of households with a pregnant woman or a guardian of a child under five, conducted during the rainy season. 1796 households were included in this analysis, which generated a sample of 1,852 mosquito nets. Using each net owned as the unit of analysis, multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of net used last night with 23 potentially explanatory variables having to do with characteristics of the household, of the respondent, and of the net. Odds Ratios, p-values, and confidence intervals were calculated for each variable to develop an explanatory model.

Results

The final multivariate model consisted of 10 variables statistically associated with whether or not the net was used the prior night: rural location, lower SES, not using coils for mosquito control, fewer nets in the household, newer nets and those in better condition, light blue colour, higher level of education of the guardian of the child under five, knowing that mosquitoes transmit malaria, and paying for the net instead of obtaining it free of charge.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that net use would increase in Ghana if coloured nets were made available in mass distributions as well as in the commercial market; if programmes emphasize that malaria is caused only by night-biting mosquitoes, and that nets protect against mosquitoes better than coils and need to be used even if coils are burning; if donated nets are replaced more frequently so that households have nets that are in good condition; and if there were support for the commercial market so that those who can afford to purchase a net and want to choose their own nets can do so.