Breakthrough Action (BA), a Non Governmental Organisation involved in Social Behavior Change campaign has harped on the need for the correct use of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) to prevent malaria attack in Akwa Ibom State.
The NGO which is active in 11 states of the federation and is supported by the United States Agency for International Agency (USAID) expressed dismay over the wrong use of the nets saying it could hamper health investment in malaria prevention from development partners
In an interview, Bassey Nsa, coordinator of the programme in Akwa Ibom State explained that its activities are carried out through community health dialogue meetings and house to house visits adding that Social Behaviour Change (SBC) strategy has led to increased awareness on the danger of malaria in the state.
The state government in conjunction with development partners earlier this year distributed over 3 million long lasting nets but it has been observed that some of the nets are wrong used as in seen many houses where they are used to adorn farmlands.
Nsa said that adopting positive preventive strategy of sleeping inside the net, going to health facilities for test and treatment were the sure way to guard against malaria attack in which he said children under five and pregnant women are more vulnerable.
“We need to change our behavior towards malaria prevention and treatment, we need to protect ourselves against mosquito bites, sleeping inside mosquito nets is cheap and easy, we should not divert the nets to unwanted to use,’’ he said.
Nsa who also disclosed that the NGO conducts advocacy programme on family planning services said malaria test kits are provided free by the United States Government commended the various communities in Akwa Ibom state for their support and thanked the state government as well for supporting all the implementing partners involved in the campaign against malaria and other health issues in the state.
He expressed delight that through the work of the NGO and others, more people are not treating malaria appropriatelywhile more pregnant women are also visiting ante natal clinics in the state to prevent malaria complications during pregnancy.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo
