Nile State, 2006

Background: Malaria still remain the first killer disease in Sudan and according to epidemiological data from the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Blue Nile state has had high prevalence of malaria. Literature review from country and outside the country showed that Insecticide Treated bed Nets (ITNS) has great impact on decreasing the prevalence of malaria cost-effectively among whole population if it were scaled up largely and used correctly and consistently. This study is meant to examine this hypothesis with the aim of increasing the utilization rate of ITNs to combat malaria. Method: The study followed the quasi-experimental design, consisting of two groups experimental and control. For the purpose of pre- and post-intervention surveys a sample of 73 households have been chosen from Alaardaiba village (Control) and 75 households from Shin Tashrab village (experimental) using random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire, observations, interviews and focus group discussions were used for data collection. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS. In order to outline and determine the intervention components baseline data were collected from two villages to make a clear situation analysis. A comprehensive health education and information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign was conducted in the experimental village according to the Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) Strategy on the basis o