Abstract
Purpose In the year 2015, the Ghana Health Service launched a free mass insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution campaign in the Sunyani West district of Ghana with the aim of improving household ownership to increase usage. This study determined the level of ownership and usage of ITNs and associated factors among households in the Sunyani West district two years after the mass distribution campaign. Methods Study participants were identified using the systematic approach in all five subdistricts of the Sunyani West district and interviewed, and data were collected on household ITN ownership. Data were also collected on the source of the ITN and whether the respondent slept under an ITN the previous night. Data on individual and community factors associated with ITN ownership and usage were also collected. Pearson chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to determine factors significantly associated with ITN ownership and usage. Results The level of ITN ownership was 78.93% and usage was 55.93%. Most of the participants (73.62%) received their nets during the 2015 mass distribution campaign, 39 (11.96%) received their ITNs during antenatal care visits, whilst 27 (8.28%) bought the nets from the store. People who experience irritation (χ2 = 23.32; p < 0.001) and respondents who did not perceive themselves as likely to be beaten by mosquitoes or get malaria (χ2 = 26.61; p < 0.001) were less likely to use ITNs. Respondents who used other malaria/mosquito bite prevention methods were also less likely to use the ITNs (χ2 = 206.26; p = 0.001), but individuals who received free nets were likely to use them. Conclusion ITN ownership was high, but usage was low and far below the national target. Intense health education emphasizing the fact that everybody is susceptible to malaria may help improve usage.
Highlights
Malaria is a tropical disease of public health importance
In spite of all these efforts, not much success has been achieved against the fight of malaria because individuals who receive the nets are not using them
insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership has increased by 34% since the 2015 mass distribution exercise, but usage of the nets was found to be low and much less than the target set by the National Malaria Control Programme. e situation is worrying as this study was carried out during the rainy season, a time when mosquito density is usually high and ITN usage is expected to be high
Summary
Malaria is a tropical disease of public health importance. It is caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. E World Health Organization’s universal plan for malaria control against the high number of cases recommends that malaria control efforts of its member states should ensure that all people living within the high-risk malaria zones are protected through the provision, use, and timely replacement of long-lasting insecticidal nets or, where appropriate, the application of indoor residual spraying [2]. For this reason, insecticide-treated net (ITN) coverage to fight malaria has been increased tremendously by many malaria-endemic countries including Ghana through mass distribution and continuous distribution of ITNs at hospitals and schools. It has been realized that the programmes lack sufficient follow-up
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