KOTIDO, 4 October 2007 (IRIN) - With help from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), Ugandan health officials in northeastern Kotido District, Karamoja region, have embarked on an ambitious hygiene and sanitation programme, aimed at increasing pit latrine coverage and use of mosquito nets across the region. Both aspects of the programme are bearing fruit, with malaria control efforts reaching more people than ever. About 270 pit latrines have been dug in the district since the beginning of the year and at least 20,000 impregnated bed nets were distributed to households in the district. Lucia Akorio, 31, was one of the beneficiaries. She spoke to IRIN about the difference these initiatives have made to her life:

"I have two children; the eldest is two-and-a-half years old while the youngest is one. I went to school to only P1 [class one or primary school] before getting married to my husband, who is a livestock herder.

"Since we started using a mosquito net [in June] I have noticed that my children have not been as sick as they often were previously. In fact, they have not had malaria since then.

"I have also taken both children to the health centre and they have completed their immunisation jabs. This [sanitation] project has helped us a lot. As you can see, we now use the pit latrines that have been dug in our manyatta [homestead]. Those that remain incomplete should be built so that more women and children can use them; previously nobody really bothered about toilets.

"Looking back, I can say my life is now better than it was last year, although there are things that I would like to have - maize, cooking oil, onions and beans.

"If we abide by the guidelines given by the health workers who come to inform us about the need to use toilets and mosquito nets, I think fewer children will fall ill as they usually do."

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