Outline of School-based LLIN distribution Pilot in Cross River State, Nigeria
Rationale
Cross River State is in the process of finalizing the state-wide long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN)
distribution campaign which will reach over 90% of households and supplying sufficient number of
LLIN to protect the whole family. However, LLIN are estimated to have an average useful life of
about three years and losses start begin to some degree already shortly after the initial
distribution. In order to sustain the gains it is therefore necessary to establish a continuous
distribution system that is able to supply new LLIN to those households than need replacements
and/or additional nets. Delivery of LLIN through routine health services such as Ante-Natal Care
(ANC) is a good way to do this but not sufficient to sustain a population coverage of 80%.
However, in places where schooling rates are sufficiently high additional distribution of LLIN
through the education system could be the solution. The USAID funded NetWorks project has
been given funds for a three year pilot of school-based distributions in Cross River State.
Objective
 To explore the potential of public school-based LLIN distributions to sustain universal
coverage with LLIN in two Local Government Areas (LGA) in Cross River State
Hypothesis
 By selecting two cohorts of students in Primary School (PRY1 and PRY4) and Two in
Secondary (JSS1 and SSS1) and providing them with an LLIN once a year in addition to LLIN
distributions through ANC it will be possible to sustain LLIN coverage around 80% even
three years after the mass campaign
Figure 1: Outline of proposed comprehensive continuous distribution of LLIN
Outline
The two LGA for this pilot are suggested to be Obubra (Central Senatorial District) and Ogoja
(Northern SD) as they have a similar population and are equally accessible. Distribution will start in
Obubra in the first year (only primary school, secondary added in the second) and Ogoja will be
added in the second year (primary and secondary simultaneously). Final evaluation will be done
after the round 3 distribution in April/May 2014.
The overall coordination of the pilot will be by the Office of the Special Advisor for Community
Health while the organization and oversight of the school distribution will by the Ministry of
Education. Technical support for the school pilot and its evaluation will come from the NetWorks
project while the ANC distribution will be supported by the USAID funded MAPS (Malaria Action
Program for States) project.
The distributions will be accompanied by a strong sensitization and behavioral change
communication campaign which will also be managed by the MAPS project.
Next Steps
 Draft a detailed proposal including implementation details and the monitoring and
evaluation component (early December 2011)
 Reach consensus among all partners and stakeholders (mid January 2012)
 Engage in micro-planning (allocation of nets according to list of public schools and their
registered students (January)
 Carry out baseline survey (February/March 2012)
 First distribution for schools end of 2nd term (March 2012)