Insecticide-Treated Nets Utilization and Associated Factors among under-5 Years Old Children in Mirab-Abaya District, Gamo-Gofa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundMalaria can be prevented using cost-effective interventions. It can be prevented at large via the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs). The use of ITNs decreases malaria mortality rates by 55% in under-5 years old children in Africa, Ethiopia, realizing the effectiveness, scaling up distribution and utilization of ITNs to cover 100% of children less than 5 years of age. However, little is known about ITNs utilization and factors associated with the utilization in under-5 years old children in the study area yet. The purpose of this study was to assess the level and associated factors of ITNs utilization in under-5 years old children among households with under-5 years old children of Mirab Abaya District, Gamo Gofa Zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted during August–September, 2016. Six study Kebeles were identified by simple random sampling technique and 398 households with at least one under-5 years old children were selected by random sampling technique using computer generated random numbers from health post family folders. Structured, interviewer questionnaire was administered to mothers or care givers of the children. Data were entered to Epi Info Version 3.5 and analyzed in SPSS version 21 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P-value <0.05 and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used for the determination of associations between dependent and predictor variables. Results were presented in narrations, tables, and graph.ResultAmong 398 under-5 years old children assessed, the majority, 362 (91.0%) of them had access to ITN, but only 137 (37.2%) of the child had ITNs utilization during the previous night prior to the survey. Households with age of mothers or caretakers 31–44 years, AOR = 0.03, 95% CI (0.01–0.07) and ≥45 years of age; AOR = 0.05, 95% CI (0.01–0.58); households with family size ≤5 members, AOR = 11.23, 95% CI (4.31–29.24); and households with sleeping space ≥2, AOR = 13.59, 95% CI (4.40–41.93) were found to be significantly associated with under-5 years old children ITNs utilization.ConclusionEven though, a significant proportions of under-5 years old children had access to ITN, only one-third of the participant child utilized it properly.

Spatiotemporal analysis of insecticide-treated net use for children under 5 in relation to socioeconomic gradients in Central and East Africa

“…The likelihood of ITN use was higher in smaller households compared to larger households in most countries excluding Burundi and Zimbabwe. This finding concurs with those of recent reviews and analyses of ITN use in African countries including Zambia, and Zimbabwe [7][8][9][10], in which the odds of ITN use decreased with larger households, with five or six members compared to those with less than five household members. In terms of the number of children, the results showed that the use of ITNs in households with more than one child under 5 was significantly higher compared to those households with only one child.…”

“…Previous studies attempted to assess the socio-economic factors associated with ITNs use in several African countries found that factors that have been identified to increase the likelihood of ITNs use among households living with at least a child under 5 included: small-size households with equal or less than four household members [7][8][9][10], urban residents [11][12][13], living in improved housing [14], wealthier households, and households with short distance to retail stores [15]. Moreover, high level of education has been linked to appropriate ITNs use [10][11][12][13][16][17][18].…”

<p>Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Risk Factors Among Febrile Children Under Five Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Arba Minch Zuria District, South Ethiopia</p>

“…29 In contrast, a study which conducted in Gamo-Gofa zone, Ethiopia identified that only 37.2% of children under 5 years of age utilized ITNs at a night time. 30 Since our study is a cross sectional study and without evidence of follow-up observation, the interpretation of results is limited concerning the utilization of ITNs by households. However, the result showed the significance of ITNs agreeing with the percentage of ITNs use by households.…”

Individual and contextual correlates of mosquito net use among women in Nigeria

“…to receive an RDT test-it is an opportunity to reinforce health behaviours like net use-this is why it is good to use every opportunity of an encounter with the health service to reinforce positive health behaviours-as sustaining these behaviours is critical for malaria control. The number of household members is another factor influencing use of mosquito nets [29,30]. Women from households with less than 5 members were more likely to use mosquito nets than those whose household members were 5 or more.…”