The use and misuse of mass distributed free insecticide-treated bed nets in a semi-urban community in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The distribution of free ITNs has resulted in universal household ownership, but the use of the nets is still very poor. Proper health education is required to encourage the consistent use of the nets, even in hot night, with low mosquito activity.

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

“…The Rivers State government has distributed more than two million nets especially on Immunization Plus days and stand alone campaigns in its effort to meet the target of providing two nets per household. [16] This may have accounted for the level of ownership found in this study was the case in Burkina faso where ownership increased substantially after net distribution [39]. Furthermore, slightly higher but similar to the finding in this study, the NDHS 2013, [25] showed that 55% of households nationwide own at least one ITN.…”

“…Also according to the NDHS 2013, [25] ownership of ITNs has increased in the past five years with 50% of household owning an ITN. This increase was not reflected in this study because, another study, [16] carried out in a semi-urban community in Rivers State 5 years ago showed that all the households in that community owned at least one ITN. The probable reason for this may be because of lack of consistency in net distribution and continued population growth.…”

“…This is higher than findings in Abia and Plateau states. [24] A recent study [16] from Port Harcourt, showed 1.7 nets per household. The Rivers State government has distributed more than two million nets especially on Immunization Plus days and stand alone campaigns in its effort to meet the target of providing two nets per household.…”

“…[16] The questionnaire was administered to the head of each household or parents/caregivers. This was used to obtain information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, answers to questions on malaria infection, ownership and use of ITN, and reasons for non-ownership and not using nets.…”

A Survey of Utilization and Effectiveness of Insecticide – Treated Bednets (Itns) As Intervention Strategy in Malaria Transmission among Pregnant Women in a Rural Community in Ebonyi State, South Eastern Nigeria

“…All of which indicated poor utilization rates of the nets of 11.5%, 4.3%, 33% and 31% respectively. Ordinioha [15] also reported a very poor use of the nets.…”