OWNERSHIP AND USE OF TREATED BED NETS IN URBAN COMMUNITIES OF ASSOSA ZONE, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Even though, use of insecticide treated net is one of the proven malaria control strategies, its ownership and use vary from country to country and area of residence. The objective of this study was to assess determinants of insecticide treated net ownership by households and use by under-fives and pregnant women in the study community.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 581 households in three urban communities of Assosa zone, Western Ethiopia. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, analyzed using SPSS for windows version 12.0.1. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were employed to test the strength of association and the criterion for statistical significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS: Of 581 households, 254 (43.7%) had at least one mosquito net 34 (9.1%) of under-five children and 16 (23.19%) pregnant women reported sleeping under an insecticide treated net the night preceding the date of interview. Insecticide treated net ownership was significantly associated with wealth-status and knowledge about perceived benefit of sleeping under insecticide treated net of the respondent (adjusted OR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.62, 8.88; adjusted OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.79, 5.1, respectively).Burning leaves as mosquito avoidance measure was negatively associated with ownership of insecticide treated net (adjusted OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.41). The use of insecticide treated net was 10.6 times more likely for under-fives sharing the same sleeping place with their parents than not sharing the same sleeping place (adjusted OR = 10.6, 95% CI: 3.73, 27.2).

CONCLUSION: ITN or mosquito net coverage at household level was lower than the national target. Poor perception about ITNs, absence of mosquitoes, low socioeconomic and low educational status, cost, and unavailability of the ITN were identified as main barriers to possess and use ITN. Parents' wealth status and educational level were found to be determinants of use of ITN by children under five and pregnant women. Ensuring insecticide treated net availability is necessary to increase their ownership and use should be prioritized in the household as they are at the particular risk of severe malaria and death from it. This can be partly addressed through effective information, education, and communication of communities.