Abstract
The distribution and use of long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) is one of the central interventions for preventing malaria infection. National policy aims to provide one LLIN for every sleeping space (approximately one net per 2 persons in malaria-endemic areas). But still there is inadequate follow-up of its utilization status. This study aimed to assess LLINs utilization and its’ associated factors among households in Adama district, Oromia region, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study subjects were randomly selected 422 households by simple random sampling. Data was collected through interview and observation checklist. Among households who owned LLIN (96.7%), only 76% of household members had slept under LLIN during the previous night prior to interview. Regarding LLINs priority to household family members, only 65.4% households given priority to their children under five years and 50% for pregnant women. Concerning to the reasons for not utilizing LLIN, 52.4% of respondents said that sleeping under LLIN was not convenient and 23.1% of them were used for other purposes. Those households who are literate (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI =1.53-7.09), governmental employees (AOR=2.52, 95% CI=1.1-6.53), roof made up of corrugated iron sheet (AOR=1.90, 95% CI=1.79-4.6) were almost two times more likely to slept under LLIN during the previous night prior to interview. Despite high percentages LLIN ownership, there was still a gap between ownership and use of LLIN. Therefore Public health interventions should also address problems related to utilization status of LLIN.
Highlights
A cornerstone for malaria disease prevention in Ethiopia is the use of long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN)
A cornerstone for malaria disease prevention in Ethiopia is the use of LLINs
The key strategy used by the country is a rolling periodic free distribution of LLINs to all pop-ulation groups living in endemic, high and moderate malaria risk areas of Ethiopia
Summary
A cornerstone for malaria disease prevention in Ethiopia is the use of LLINs. The key strategy used by the country is a rolling periodic (every three years) free distribution of LLINs to all pop-ulation groups living in endemic, high and moderate malaria risk areas of Ethiopia. Ethiopia aims to achieve universal coverage by distributing one LLIN per two persons (sleeping space) through mass, free campaigns at the community level, through the health extenstion workers and/ or health facilities. Ethiopia has distributed about 40 million LLINs since 2005 [1, 2]. By protecting people from being bitten by infected mosquitoes, LLINs are an effective tool to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality due to malaria. LLIN has three main functions: i) When mosquitoes are in contact with the net, it has a knock-down effect, temporarily incapacitating or even killing mosquitoes; ii) It has a repellent effect; and, iii) It reduces contact between the person sleeping under the net and mosquitoes by acting as a physical barrier. LLINs have an effect on other insects, such as head lice, sandflies, ticks and other household pests (e.g. bedbugs and cockroaches) [3, 1]
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