Abstract
Background; An estimated 51.6% of adults by age distribution among the Jaggery and Tea workers aged 18-49 years are at risk of contracting malaria due to improper use of ITNs in South Mugirango Sub County. Kisii County, Kenya. This is due to their perception and the reasons for not sleeping under ITNs. Published data on ITNs use among the Jaggery and Tea workers in South Mugirango Sub County are limited. The purpose of this study is to establish the Jaggery and Tea workers perception on ITNs use. Methods; A descriptive cross sectional study was used, where South Mugirango was purposively selected. The study systematically and randomly selected and interviewed 209 Jaggery and Tea workers on ITNs use. Qualitative methods were used to investigate their perceptions on ITNs use. Data was also collected via structured questionnaire, focused group discussion and Key informant interviews to obtain views. Results; Overall 209 Jaggery and Tea workers were selected and interviewed; 116 (56%) males and 93 (44%) females, about 52% perceived mosquitoes to cause malaria and 77.3% cited the main reasons of not using the ITNs as to cause suffocation, irritation and dreams. There was a positive relationship between gender and education on ITNs use (P<0.001,) respectively. There was also significant relationship between cost, accessibility and house structure and ITNs use (P<0.0010) while age and marital status were not statistically significant. Conclusion and recommendations; The 77.3% who perceived that ITNs causes suffocation, irritation and dreams is high number as malaria is on the rise among the study group. Therefore the study recommends; (a) Policy review on ITNs use among the Jaggery and Tea workers (b) Intensive health training on perception and beliefs on ITNs to improve its use with adoption of door to door awareness creation on the importance of ITNs use.
Highlights
Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) have been advocated as the most important strategy in combating malaria in high endemic areas of the world where by half of its population was at risk
The respondents were allowed to withdraw at their own will if wished to do so. This shows the results of perception and beliefs on ITNs use among the Jaggery and tea workers
This study concludes that the respondents perceived malaria to be caused by dirty environment, being rained on and eating sugarcane
Summary
ITNs have been advocated as the most important strategy in combating malaria in high endemic areas of the world where by half of its population was at risk. Over half of the world population was exposed to malaria and 240 million contracted malaria [2]. Sub-Sahara Africa is the most hit with malaria due repeated exposure with malaria infection. ITNs have a mean protective efficacy against malaria episodes of approximately 50% in highly endemic areas of Africa and have been found to reduce overall mortality by 63% in villages using impregnated nets [3]. Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are the most important malaria prevention, control and intervention strategy as they effectively reduce malaria morbidity and mortality in high endemic areas due the sequestration of malaria parasite in
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
