Soldiers Against Mosquitoes: Day in the Life of an IRS Sprayer
Today is World Malaria Day so we are taking you through a Day In The Life of Theresa Phiri, an indoor residual sprayer.
In Mambwe, the indoor residual sprayers, better known as the “Soldiers Against Mosquitos”, are a key part of the U.S.-Zambia partnership against malaria, which sprayed 717,000 structures in Copperbelt, Eastern, and Luapula provinces and protected over three million people in 2021.
05:30 - Theresa starts her day with a complimentary breakfast and a quick chat with her fellow indoor residual sprayers.
USAID/Zambia Morgan Siddle
USAID/Zambia Morgan Siddle
06:00 - The day starts early as Theresa waits in line to sign in and then heads to the make-shift lockers to change into her indoor residual spraying (IRS) outfit. This outfit protects her from direct contact with the spray.
Theresa stands in her full IRS gear
While Theresa and the other spray operators get ready, washers fill the spray tanks with rinse water from the previous spray day.
06:45 - Storekeepers and spray team leaders start handing out supplies for the day (i.e. insecticide sachets, flashlights, pocket guide, cups, tarps, data collection forms, etc.). Everything Theresa needs for the day is given to her in the morning.
USAID/Zambia Morgan Siddle
A spray leader hands Theresa (right) her supplies for the day.
07:15 - The spray tanks filled with 1 - 3 liters of rinse water from the previous spray day are handed out to Theresa and her fellow sprayers. The work is about to begin!
Theresa checks her spray tank before heading out for the day.
07:30 - Sprayers take turns giving demonstrations to the group. Today is Theresa’s turn to show the group on how to fill out the post-spray data collection forms. These demonstrations are given everyday to make sure that everyone’s skills are in tip-top shape.
08:00 - The spray teams are off to the spray sites/communities!
09:00 - When sprayers arrive at site, they meet with community mobilizers who spent the previous day informing community members that spraying would occur today and why it is important.
USAID/Zambia Morgan Siddle
09:30 - Finally, Theresa is off to her first house of the day!
09:45 - A team leader makes sure the resident removed everything from the house so the walls of the house can be properly sprayed.
Residents sit with their belongings outside their house.
Theresa puts a tarp on any furniture that can’t be moved from the house.
Theresa mixes the Insecticide and does final checks of the spray tank.
10:00 - Let the spraying begin!
USAID/Zambia Morgan Siddle
10:30 - After spraying, Theresa gives the resident an information card and a sticker marked with ‘S’ is posted on the door showing that their house was sprayed.
11:00 - If a resident isn’t home or doesn’t want to have their house sprayed, Theresa puts a sticker on the door marked with an ‘X’ meaning there are no people or ‘NS’ (Not Sprayed), if they have refused.
12:00 - Spray operators spray about 14 houses per day.
16:00 - After a day of hard, rewarding work, Theresa and other spray operators are taken back to the Spray Base to return their kit and conduct end of day clean ups before resting for another day.
What do you think about Theresa's day? What Day In The Life would you like to see next?