The Use of Insecticide Treated Bed Net in Children Under Five Years of Age in Alakahia Community, Rivers State

Nalley Joy Chinwe

doi:10.11648/j.ajp.20170305.12

Abstract

Insecticide Treated bed Net (ITN) is considered to be the most efficacious of all currently feasible interventions for malaria control in Africa. However, its use is still low in Rivers State. This study sought to evaluate the use of insecticide treated bed net, in under-five children in Alakahia, Rivers State. This was a cross-sectional study carried out from 1st August to 31st October 2014, over a period of 3 months. Three hundred and ninety-nine children-parent/caregiver pairs were recruited. Children, aged 6-59 months were selected using systematic and simple random sampling methods. The data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A general examination was done followed by collection of blood samples for estimation of packed cell volume and malaria parasitaemia. ITN ownership per household was 60.2%. Of the 240 respondents who owned ITN, 157 (65.4%) used them for their under-five children, but only 50 (31.8%) children slept under an ITN the night before the study. The factors found to influence the use of ITN were number of nets owned and where the net was got. However, purchasing an ITN was the strongest predictor of ITN use (OR =14.091, P= 0.000). The most common reason for non-use of ITN was ‘too hot’ (19.3%). Ownership and use rates were fair, however consistency in the use of the nets was poor. More efforts should be put into health education for behaviour modification.

Highlights

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan, Plasmodium
[7] Only pyrethroid insecticides are approved for use on Insecticide Treated bed Net (ITN)
A total of 399 children participated in this study

Summary

Introduction

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan, Plasmodium. It remains the most important parasitic cause of mortality in humans. [1] Human malaria, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes is caused by all of the four members of the genus Plasmodium which are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae. [2] Some of its vectors include A. fenestus and A. gambiae.Malaria exerts a significant health burden on Nigerians and accounts for 60% of outpatient visits to the health facilities, 30% of childhood deaths, 25% of infant deaths and 11% of maternal deaths. [3] It is responsible for an estimated annual loss of 132 billion naira in the form of treatment and prevention costs or loss of man hours among other losses. [3] Anaemia is one of the main complications of malaria and most severely affects children 1-3 years in areas with high transmission of P. falciparum. [4]The thrust for malaria control is to reduce human mosquito bites. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan, Plasmodium. It remains the most important parasitic cause of mortality in humans. [1] Human malaria, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes is caused by all of the four members of the genus Plasmodium which are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae. An integrated management approach is said to be the best for malaria control, the Insecticide Treated bed Net (ITN) is considered to be the most efficacious of all currently feasible interventions for malaria control in Africa. There are several types of nets available. They vary by size, material and/or treatment. [7] Only pyrethroid insecticides are approved for use on ITNs. ITNs are dip-treated using the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide such as permethrin or deltamethrin. ITNs are dip-treated using the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide such as permethrin or deltamethrin. [9] Pyrethroids

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Discussion

Conclusion