Baseline survey for the implementation of insecticide treated mosquito nets in Malaria control in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) have raised a renewed interest to serve as tools for malaria control in Africa. The use of this control method has been proved to be a cost-effective means for the control of malaria. However, little is known the acceptability and utilization of mosquito nets in Ethiopia. Objectives: The objective of this study is to provide relevant information about the knowledge, attitude and experience of communities about malaria and its preventive methods, particularly the acceptability and affordability of ITNs. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in five different parts of Ethiopia in January and February 1999. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 1,933 households for the study. Data were collected by interviewing household heads or their representatives. Results: Ninety-five percent of the participants perceived fever, headache and chilling of the body as the main symptoms of malaria. More than 87% of the interviewees correctly identified the names of the anti-malarial drugs, chloroquine and SP. About 93% of the participants knew that malaria could be transmitted through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are known to breed on stagnant water (83%). More than 43% of the respondents replied that DDT, in combination with other control measures, could prevent malaria. Forty-one percent of the respondents had heard about the mosquito net. Only 5.3% of the respondents in the survey reported the presence of at least one mosquito net in their households. Most of the respondents (92.5%) were interested in using mosquito nets sometime in the future. The most preferred mode of obtaining ITNs was on loan basis (60%). Accordingly, 24%, 20% and 16% were willing to pay in three, six, and nine months of installments and above, respectively. Forty-percent of the study participants were ready to buy it in cash. Of the 1,696 respondents, 47% suggested 10 Birr or less, 11% between 11 and 20 Birr, 28% from 21-50 Birr and the rest (14%) mentioned 51 Birr and above as the appropriate price for purchasing a single ITN. Conclusion:The utilization of mosquito nets at the time of the study was very low. However, acceptability and willingness to use ITNs for malaria prevention was very high. Thus, the expanding ITN implementation and increasing its coverage for malaria control both in urban and rural malarious areas of the country is crucial. It is recommended that communities should be strongly sensitized on the importance of ITNs for malaria control and the availability and affordability should be insured. IntroductionMalaria remains a major public health problem particularly in many tropical countries, resulting in decreased productive capacity and increased poverty despite the intensive attempts being, exerted to control it especially in sub-Saharan Africa (1, 2).

Community awareness about malaria, its treatment and mosquito vector in rural highlands of central Ethiopia

“…In this study, differences in knowledge about the cause, signs/symptoms and treatment of malaria as well as mosquito vector were compared among the participants from various localities. Participants from the epidemic-prone (Ginchi and Holeta areas) were found to be better in identifying signs/symptoms of malaria, considering modern antimalarial drugs as effective for the treatment of the disease and choosing of chemoprophylaxis, bed net, spray and avoiding stagnant water as preventive methods of malaria which is in agreement with previous studies done elsewhere (11,12,13). On the other hand, practice of using traditional medicines such as garlic, butter, tobacco and other remedy for the treatment of malaria as well as for preventive mechanisms was highly reflected by respondents from Sululita, Muka Turi and Sheno areas.…”

“…These include contact with patient's sweat, cloth, vomit, breathing or eating with the patient. However, when asked about the role of the mosquito, a large proportion of respondents mentioned that it transmits malaria through biting which is comparable to the knowledge of communities in malarious areas of Ethiopia (12).…”

“…The results indicated that almost all the study participants from the various peasant associations knew that malaria is a serious disease for all age groups. Most of the participants have also mentioned some of the common signs and symptoms of malaria and modern antimalarial drugs as the best treatment for malaria though their level of knowledge in identifying the symptoms was not as high as that found in the malaria endemic areas of the country (11,12).…”

Poverty-related diseases (PRDs): unravelling complexities in disease responses in Cameroon

“…As expected, the classification of malaria as a major PRD and a public health concern was uncontested by our respondents, and this is confirmed by other studies in Cameroon [31, 38], Nigeria [39], Ethiopia [40], Kenya [41] and Uganda [42]. The other two WHO-listed PRDs differed in importance in our respondents’ perspective.…”

Knowledge and practice concerning malaria, insecticide-treated net (ITN) utilization and antimalarial treatment among pregnant women attending specialist antenatal clinics

“…However, the level of awareness is slightly higher than in an earlier report that was conducted in Ethiopia by Legesse et al (2007), which reported that only 47.5% of the study participants mentioned mosquito bites as a mode of malaria transmission. However, the pregnant women's level of knowledge regarding malaria transmission was slightly lower compared to the few earlier studies conducted in Ethiopia that reported up to 93% awareness (Jima et al 2003(Jima et al , 2005. In general, still a tiny fraction of the pregnant women had erroneous ideas about malarial transmission (by hot/cold weather, hunger and stagnant water).…”