Determinants of Insecticide Treated Net Utilisation for Under-Five Children in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Malaria is regarded as one of the most dangerous killers of children in the world of which Ghana is no exception. However, one of the most effective means of preventing malaria is the utilisation of insecticide treated net (ITN). This has necessitated various mass ITN distribution drives in various countries including Ghana. However, a recent report shows very low ITN utilisation among under-five children in Ghana. Methods: This study used the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey as the source of data as well the binary probit model as the empirical estimation technique. Results: The study revealed that children from urban areas, older children, children with older household heads, children from wealthy families, Muslim children, children from the Northern, Greater Accra and Upper East regions and children of mothers with big problems with regard to permission and money to seek medical care, were less likely to have utilised ITN. Also Mothers with primary and secondary education, mothers with health insurance and mothers with big problems concerning the distance to health facility, were revealed to be more likely to have utilised ITN for their children. Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded from the binary probit regression that, deepening the free maternal health insurance policy, intensifying the behaviour change communication campaigns on ITN utilisation in regions, and women empowerment through education as well as targeting uneducated mothers, could be some of the effective strategies that can be employed to increase ITN utilisation among children in Ghana.