Free versus purchased mosquito net ownership and use in Budondo sub-county, Uganda

Abstract

BackgroundWhile the distribution of mosquito bed nets is a widely adopted approach for malaria prevention, studies exploring how the usage of a net may be influenced by its source and other factors remain sparse.MethodsA standardized questionnaire and home-visit observations were used to collect data from 9 villages in Budondo sub-county, Uganda in 2016. Household- and individual-level data were collected, such as bed net ownership (at least one net versus none), acquirement source (free versus purchased), demographics, as well as knowledge of malaria and preventative measures. Net-level data, including alternative uses, and bed net quantity and integrity, were also collected. Mixed effects logistic regression models were performed to identify the key determinants of bed net use.ResultsOverall, the proportion of households with at least one bed net was 40%, while bed net availability was only reported among 27% of all household members. Awareness of the benefits of bed net use was statistically significantly associated with ownership of at least one net (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.11–2.68, p = 0.02). Among those who own net(s), the odds of a bed net being correctly used (i.e., to sleep under) after adjusting for potential confounders were significantly lower for nets that were obtained free compared to nets that were purchased by the owners themselves (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.21–0.51, p < 0.01), resulting in an alternative use of the net. Other factors such as female gender, children ≤ 5 years old, and pregnancy status were also significantly associated with having a net to sleep under (all p < 0.01).ConclusionUnderstanding inter- and intra-household net-use factors will help malaria control programmes more effectively direct their efforts to increase public health impact. Future studies may additionally consider socioeconomic status and track the lifetime of the net.

Long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net ownership, utilization and associated factors among school-age children in Dara Mallo and Uba Debretsehay districts, Southern Ethiopia

“…Household bed net ownership in the present study was much lower than the universal coverage target of the NMCP [30]. Access to the bed nets which is also one of the major indicators to assess effectiveness of bed net for the prevention of malaria [31] was also poor in the current study area. Ownership of bed nets was lower than coverage estimated in the most recent malaria indicator survey in Ethiopia [13] and most other studies conducted in Ethiopia [22,25,32,33] except a study conducted among households of pregnant women in Shashogo district in Southern Ethiopia [23].…”

A Household-Based Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge, Awareness and Practice Regarding Malaria in Western Area Rural District, Sierra Leone

“…Malaria remains one of the most serious public health issues and is responsible for high proportions of morbidity and mortality in Sierra Leone. In the present study, overall high levels of knowledge regarding the causes of malaria, prevention mechanisms and symptoms, and active seeking of treatment for malaria from health care providers were found among Sierra Leoneans, similar to the results in the MIS 2013 and 2016 (2, 10); these results with regards to knowledge and practices support malaria control (11)(12)(13).…”

Knowledge, awareness and practices regarding malaria in Western Area Rural District, Sierra Leone: a household-based cross-sectional survey at the midpoint of the National Malaria Strategic Plan (2016-2020)

“…Malaria remains one of the most serious public health issues and is responsible for high proportions of morbidity and mortality in Sierra Leone. In the present study, overall high levels of knowledge regarding the causes of malaria, prevention mechanisms and symptoms, and active seeking of treatment for malaria from health care providers were found among Sierra Leoneans, similar to the results in the MIS 2013 & 2016 [2,10]; these results with regards to knowledge and practices support malaria control [11][12][13].…”