Abstract
IntroductionMalaria remains one of the top five killer diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and its burden is skewed towards pregnant women and children under five. Insecticide Treated Bed-Net (ITN) usage is considered one of the most cost-effective, preventive interventions against malaria. This study sought to assess ownership, usage, effectiveness, knowledge, access and availability of ITNs among mothers with children under five in the Hohoe municipality.MethodsIn August 2010 a cross-sectional survey was carried out in 30 communities, selected using the WHO 30 cluster sampling technique. In the selected communities, mothers/caregivers with children under five years were selected using the snowball method. Data were collected through questionnaires and direct observation of ITN. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data collected.ResultsA total of 450 mothers/caregivers were interviewed and their mean age was 30 ± 7 years. ITN ownership was 81.3%, and usage was 66.4%. The majority (97.8%) of the mothers/caregivers said ITNs were effective for malaria prevention. Awareness about ITNs was high (98.7%) and the majority (52.9%) had heard about ITNs from Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Clinic and antenatal care ANC clinic (33.6%). Over 60% of the ITNs were acquired through free distribution at RCH clinics, clinic and home distribution during mass immunization sessions. The majority of the mothers/caregivers (78.6%) knew the signs and symptoms of malaria, what causes malaria (82.2%) and who is most at risk (90%).ConclusionBehaviour change communication strategies on ITN use may need to be further targeted to ensure full use of available ITNs.
Highlights
Malaria remains one of the top five killer diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and its burden is skewed towards pregnant women and children under five
The difference in ownership reported in this study as compared to estimates from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) could be due to inability on the part of mothers/caregivers to differentiate between any mosquito net and an Insecticide Treated Bed-Net (ITN)
Further progress in ITN utilization for malaria prevention can be achieved by targeting populations in malaria endemic areas through appropriate behaviour change communication strategies to ensure the correct use of available ITNs
Summary
Malaria remains one of the top five killer diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and its burden is skewed towards pregnant women and children under five. The majority (97.8%) of the mothers/caregivers said ITNs were effective for malaria prevention. Conclusion: Behaviour change communication strategies on ITN use may need to be further targeted to ensure full use of available ITNs. Malaria is a major public health problem and one of the leading causes of maternal and child deaths in Africa. Insecticide-treated nets have helped to reduce malaria episodes by 48-50% [4] and if universally used, could prevent an estimated 7% of global under-five mortality [2]. They are connected with statistically significant reductions in the risk of low birth weight and foetal loss [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
