Long lasting insecticidal net use and its associated factors in Limmu Seka District, South West Ethiopia

Mitiku Teshome Hambisa,Yadeta Dessie,Tesfaye Gobena,Tessema Debela

doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5022-8

Abstract

BackgroundMany countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, are focusing on the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to combat malaria. However, utilization of the LLIN is low when compared with LLIN possession because of various factors. This study was conducted to measure the actual LLIN usage and identify factors associated with its utilization in Limmu Seka District, South West Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 830 households from December 25, 2011 to February 29, 2012.ResultsA total of 830 households were selected by stratified systematic sampling and surveyed. Ninety percent of those surveyed owned LLINs and 68.3% reported that someone had slept under the net on the night prior to the survey. The factors associated with LLIN usage were knowledge of the mode of malaria transmission (AOR; 0.086, 95% CI 0.03, 0.24), the preferred conical shapes of the LLIN (AOR; 1.6, 95% CI 1.31, 4.1), receiving information about their use from Health Extension Workers (HEWs) (AOR; 2.4, 95% CI 1.5, 3.9), hearing media campaigns (AOR; 3.2 95% CI 3.5, 9.2), education at a health facility (AOR; 2 95% CI 1.5, 3.9) or having a family size of three or less (AOR; 2.1, 95% CI 1.3, 3.5).ConclusionAlthough ownership of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets was high at 90%, the actual usage of LLIN was low, and not all family members were protected. Promoting the usage of LLINs utilization by those at most risk, especially the conical shaped ones, through intensified health education using HEWs and mass media campaigns at all health facilities, schools and communities will improve LLIN utilization.

Highlights

Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, are focusing on the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to combat malaria
Respondents residing in sprayed houses (AOR; 2.4, 95% CI 1.5, 3.9), who had a family size of three or less (AOR; 2.1, 95% CI 1.3, 3.5) and preferred conical shaped LLINs (AOR; 1.6, 95% CI 1.31, 4.1) were significantly associated with LLIN usage (Table 3). In this large scale study of 830 households, Long Lasting Insecticidal Net utilization was associated with an understanding of mode of malaria transmission, conical shaped preference of LLINs, lower family size, residing in sprayed houses, and information sourced from the mass media, Health Extension Workers (HEWs) or health facilities
A study conducted in Wonago District, Southern Ethiopia found the knowledge that LLINs prevent mosquito bites was significantly associated with utilization of LLINs by households and under-five children [5]

Summary

Introduction

Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, are focusing on the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to combat malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that half of the world’s populations was at risk of malaria at the start of 2016 and in 2015 alone, there were 212 million malaria cases and 429,000 deaths worldwide [1]. Populations living in sub-Saharan Africa still carry the highest malaria burden according to the 2016 World Malaria Report. Over three million cases of malaria (both confirmed and clinically diagnosed) were reported in Ethiopia in 2012 [4]. It is the major public health problem in terms of morbidity and burden on health care facilities, accounting for an Hambisa et al BMC Public Health (2018) 18:124 increasing percentage of outpatient consultations in most health facilities in the Oromia region [5]

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