Common questions and answers regarding Olyset

OLYSET PROPERTIES

Q.1  In which regions of the world are Long lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) mostly used?

A.    LLINs are primarily used for malaria prevention. Because incidence of malaria is currently higher in sub-Saharan Africa than anywhere else, it is in Africa that most LLINs are used. However, they are used in other parts of the world, including Asia and South America.


Q.2   What are the properties of Olyset nets?

A.   The Olyset net employs unique technology in which insecticide is incorporated into the net’s polyethylene fibre during the manufacturing process. The insecticide is then slowly released over time. This provides a net which:

• Is guaranteed to control mosquitoes for 5 years
• Has an excellent safety profile because of the low levels of insecticide that users of the net can contact
• Is strong, washable and tear resistant
• Never needs to be treated with insecticide.
  

Q.3   How many people can sleep under the net at one time (i.e., how big is it)?

A.  Olyset nets come in a number of different sizes – from 'single' to ‘extra family size.’  The number of people that can sleep under the net is obviously dependent on the size of the people and their proximity when sleeping. In rural African homes it is quite common for children to share a bed or mat on the floor with parents (normally the mother).  We have seen as many as five people sleeping under one net.

Q.4   Is Olyset easy to install?

A:    Yes, it is very simple. Simple cloth loops are sewn into each net. String (or, in some cases, old torn cloth) is threaded through the loops and attached to points above the bed or mat. The bottom of the net is tucked under the mattress or floor mat to form a tent within which the protected person(s) sleep.


Q.5   Can Olyset be used in other ways?

A.    In Usa River Village, Tanzania, you can see evidence of an interesting experiment in which the Olyset bednet is being supplemented by curtains, door hangings and roof-eave treatments made from Olyset material, with apparently excellent results. However, it is important to remember that these are supplements rather than substitutions for bednets.  In some other parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, Olyset netting is commercially available as curtaining, but even there this approach is not intended as a substitute for its use as a bednet. Some have speculated that Olyset nets are strong enough to be used as fishing nets and attractive enough to be cut up for bridal wear, but there is no evidence to suggest that any significant quantities of Olyset nets are being diverted for those purposes. Long-term studies have shown that rural communities which receive Olyset nets value them greatly for their original purpose, and they are not inclined to use the nets for other purposes.

Q.6   Is Olyset the only bednet endorsed/used by anti-malaria bodies or NGOs?

A:   Olyset is one of only two LLINs that have achieved a WHO recommendation. Earlier forms of Insecticide- treated Nets (ITNs) are still found, but these are increasingly being replaced by LLINs. These earlier ITNs needed re-treatment with insecticide every few months -- a task which was often not carried out because of the complex logistical and economic challenges that surround the supply of concentrated chemicals to remote rural communities. Additionally, these older ITNs required the user to handle and dilute the concentrated insecticide which is a task that introduces human and environmental safety concerns.

Q.7   How is Olyset being promoted in Africa?

A:   Promotion of Olyset varies by country and region. For example, in Ghana it’s often promoted via car stickers. In Senegal, Sumitomo Chemical was the lead sponsor of the famous ‘Africa Live’ Concert (March 2005). The key issue is that unlike leading household name brands such as Coca Cola or Sony, Sumitomo’s corporate social responsibility dictates that we have to work within a very tight budget and recognises the need to keep operating costs low so that the nets can remain affordable to those who need them most.

Q.8   Are African governments receptive to Sumitomo Chemical’s messages? Do they appreciate the nets' unique advantages over conventional nets and other LLINs?

A:   Yes. It doesn’t take long for people who truly care about malaria control to recognise the lifesaving benefits of Olyset.

Q.9   Who (i.e. Governments, NGOs) buys the nets from Sumitomo Chemical? Who distributes them?

A:   The market for LLINs is broadly split into two sectors. Most Olyset nets are distributed through the public sector, which is primarily funded by aid programmes. Tenders (often from Government) are common and, depending on the country or circumstance, Sumitomo Chemical might bid directly or through a local intermediary. However, most supply into the public sector is processed through major aid agencies such as UNICEF, Red Cross etc. The second sector is the private or retail market. This operates through conventional trading channels. Because of the need to reach the maximum number of people in the shortest possible time, Sumitomo Chemical has concentrated to date on the public sector.