Abstract
BackgroundMalaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda. The Ministry of Health (MoH) plans to scale up indoor residual spraying (IRS) for malaria vector control. However, there is limited information on community knowledge and perceptions towards IRS. This study assessed community knowledge and perceptions about IRS in Soroti district, eastern Uganda.MethodsThe study was cross-sectional and it covered 770 randomly selected households in urban and rural settings in Soroti district, Eastern Uganda. The respondents were heads of household and or their proxies. The data were collected on the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of the insecticides that could be used for IRS, parts of the houses that would be sprayed, importance of IRS, role of household heads in IRS programme, frequency and the time of spraying. Responses to the questions on these areas were used to create a composite dependent variable categorized as knowledgeable if they had responded correctly to at least three questions or not knowledgeable about IRS if they responded correctly to less than three questions. In addition, respondents were asked if they thought the IRS programme would be beneficial or not. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out using SPSS version 17.ResultsLess than half, (48.6%, 374/770) of the respondents were knowledgeable about IRS. Urban residents (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.04-3.56) and those with secondary education or higher (AOR 4.81, 95% CI 2.72-8.52) were knowledgeable about IRS. Three-quarters, (74.4%, 354/473) of respondents who had ever heard of IRS, perceived it as beneficial. Two-thirds, (66.4%, 314/473) reported that IRS would have negative effects. Respondents who reported that, IRS programme is beneficial were: 23 years or older (AOR 2.17, 95% CI 1.07-4.38), had attained secondary education or higher (AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.22-3.83) and were knowledgeable about IRS (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.17-4.17).ConclusionsKnowledge about IRS is inadequate and negative perceptions about its use are prominent especially among the rural and less educated individuals. To ensure householders’ cooperation and participation in the IRS programme, adequate community mobilization and sensitization is needed prior to use of IRS for effective malaria control.
Highlights
Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda
Respondents’ knowledge about indoor residual spraying More than half (61.4%, 473/770) of respondents had heard of IRS
The majority (90.1%, 426/473) of these mentioned that insecticides will be used for IRS
Summary
Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda. Malaria still causes the highest morbidity and mortality. Malaria remains the leading cause of mortality in Uganda. It is responsible for 21% (including 27% of under-five) of all hospital deaths [3]. Progress achievement of MDGs 4, 5 as well as target 6C of MDG 6 that is to have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases has been reported to be too slow [4]. Especially indoor residual spraying (IRS) remains one of the most effective methods for preventing malaria transmission [5]
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