As a result of our malaria prevention program we are seeing a reduction in the incidence of malaria in our community and with improved health more children are able to attend school regularly. Power of Love’s malaria prevention program, provides long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria to children and families vulnerable to malaria in the community of Matero in Lusaka, Zambia. Our vision is to eradicate malaria from Zambia and our goal is to eradicate malaria from the community of Matero in Lusaka, Zambia.

A follow-up study to assess the effectiveness of our malaria prevention program was conducted in November 2016. We interviewed 275 women and 96 older children regarding the use of nets and knowledge about malaria prevention Goals of this study were to assess:

• if the nets are being used every night,
• if the nets were maintained and stored as demonstrated during the malaria prevention day activities,
• if the beneficiaries had knowledge about re-treatment of nets, and
• if there was a decline in the incidence of malaria.

Results of the study: Based on these conversations, we discovered that:

• Nets are used every night during malaria season. This is important as per the World Health Organization, sleeping under a mosquito net is one of the most cost effective and easiest ways to prevent malaria.
• Most beneficiaries have better knowledge about proper storage and maintenance of nets. 
• Most beneficiaries have knowledge regarding re-treatment of nets and that this service is available free of cost by Government agencies.
• Each net was being used to sleep at least 2-3 children or two adults.
• Most women had better knowledge about malaria prevention and symptoms of malaria.
• Most nets were in good condition (not torn).
• There is a reduced incidence of malaria in the community.
• There are fewer missed days from school because of better health of the children. 

Over the last ten years we have been able to provide over 22,000 nets and education on malaria prevention to families in Kenya and Zambia. At our most recent malaria prevention day in July 2016, we could provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on malaria prevention to women and children vulnerable to malaria in Zambia. Based on a study conducted to assess the impact of program activities, we can conclude that nets distributed over the last 2-3 years are in good condition, are being used as directed, and families are more knowledgeable about malaria prevention. These activities have reduced the incidence of malaria in the community. 

Over the last six years, we have been able to provide 10,800 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria to families in Zambia. These nets were used by an estimated 43,200 children (as each net can sleep up to four young children) or 21,600 adults (as each net can sleep two adults). At our most recent malaria prevention day in July 2016, we could provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education to families vulnerable to malaria. For 2017, our goal is to provide at least 4000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on malaria prevention to vulnerable families. We are confident that as more families sleep under a net and take measures to prevent malaria, the incidence of malaria will continue to decline.

Thanks for your caring and dedication to prevent malaria in Zambia. We could not have achieved our goals without your help.