Relationship between the Usage of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (LLITNs) and Malaria Prevalence among School-Age Children in Southwestern Nigeria.

Adejumoke Oluwatosin Omonijo,Hillary Iwegbunem Okoh,Azeez Oyemomi Ibrahim,Adetunji Omonijo,Arun S. Kharat

doi:10.1155/2021/8821397

Adejumoke Oluwatosin Omonijo, Hillary Iwegbunem Okoh + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8821397

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Abstract

Purpose The usage of LLITNs in malaria vector control has resulted in the reduction in malaria deaths among higher-risk groups (pregnant women and under-fives). However, there exists asymptomatic infection among older children, thereby making them a reservoir of malaria transmission. This study aimed at assessing the impact of LLITN usage on malaria prevalence among school-age children (SAC) in Ekiti, South Western Nigeria. Methods Cross-sectional, two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to collect data from SAC during May and June 2017. A total of 1313 (Oye LGA: 657 and Ikole LGA: 656) SAC in selected public primary schools participated in the study. Sociodemographic information as well as data on LLITN usage the previous night was obtained using pretested, semistructured questionnaires adapted from the standardized Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) tools. Malaria infection was diagnosed by using the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) on blood samples that were collected by finger prick from each child. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows software version 26 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results Usage of LLITNs among SAC was significantly higher in Ikole LGA than in Oye (p < 0.001). Socioeconomic factors (access to electricity, mother's occupation, and household size) showed significant associations with LLITN usage (p < 0.001) in both Oye and Ikole LGAs. Malaria prevalence was significantly low among SAC utilizing LLITNs in both Oye and Ikole LGAs (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between gender and malaria prevalence among SAC with males having higher prevalence than females (p < 0.001). Socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with malaria prevalence in both LGAs (p < 0.001). Conclusion The usage of LLITNs caused a significant reduction in malaria prevalence among the school-age children in the study areas; hence, sensitization on usage should be scaled up towards malaria elimination.

Highlights

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality most especially among vulnerable groups in sub-Saharan Africa
Vector control through LLITNs constitutes one of the effective control measures in reducing deaths due to malaria [1]. is study aimed at assessing the relationship between the usage of LLITNs and malaria prevalence among school-age children (SAC) in Oye and Ikole local government areas (LGAs)
E findings from this study revealed that the usage of LLITNs was generally high in both LGAs. e rate of LLITN usage observed among schoolage children (SAC) in this study is higher in Oye LGA (79.9%) and Ikole LGA (86.0%) than the available record in Kenya, Malawi, and other regions [9, 12,13,14,15]

Summary

Introduction

Recent studies revealed the burden of malaria in school-age children, their role in acting as a reservoir of infection, and the least likelihood of SAC in utilizing insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) [4,5,6]. While earlier studies have surveyed LLITN usage among school children and school-based net distribution in the integrated national malaria surveillance system [5, 12], there is a paucity of information on the impact of LLITN usage on malaria prevalence among school-age children in Nigeria. Is study aims to assess the level of usage of LLITNs and its impact on malaria prevalence among school-age children in Ekiti Southwestern State, Nigeria, with the hope of incorporating the outcome into malaria interventions capable of increasing and sustaining net usage among the study group

Materials and Methods

Data Collection

Results

Discussion