Coverage and usage of insecticidal treated bed-nets for preventing malaria in four peri-urban communities of Ijebu-North, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Sleeping under insecticidal treated bed-nets has been proven as an effective tool towards preventing mosquito bites and malaria but the burden of malaria cases seems to be on the increase. This study therefore assessed the limiting factors associated with ownership and usage of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in four periurban communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 499 residents above age 15, were recruited and interviewed at the healthcare facilities in the selected communities using a well-structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 version for descriptive and chisquare statistics, with significance set at 95%. Of the 499 residents, 72.1% (360/499) owned at least one LLIN, while only 56.7% (204/360) affirmed to sleeping under the bed net. Heat was a major reason for non-usage, 70/135 (51.9%) followed by harboring dust 40/135 (29.6%), skin irritation 16/135 (11.9%) and problem of hanging nets 2/135 (1.5%). There were significance differences between the challenges in the use of LLIN by the respondents and the peri-urban communities (p= 0.000). Majority of the respondents also reported LLIN abuse; 59/93 (63.4%) used them as window or door nets, 13/93 (13.9%) and 13/93 (13.9%) used them as fishing nets and as sieves and sponges respectively. Other uses included using it as a means of protection against rodents on the farm and as football goal nets. There was no significance difference between the abuse of LLINs by the respondents and the peri-urban communities (p= 0.209). The non-usage and abuse of LLIN will dampen the efforts targeted at controlling malaria in the southwestern region of Nigeria. It is therefore important that malaria control programmes incorporate health awareness campaigns targeted at promoting usage and disapproving the abuse of LLINs