Profiling of community directed distributors on key household practices in resource-poor setting: A case study of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Improving malaria control, hygiene and sanitation in households is a challenge in the health system. Hence, several countries have used community directed distributors (CDDs) to assist in delivering health information and services. Despite their use there is little attempt to profile this group of workers. This was a cross sectional study conducted in 2014 involving 297 CDDs from 3 rural communities in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone of Anambra State. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents during their training in various town halls. Most (44.4%) of CDDs fell within the age range of 29 to 38 years. Only 2.0% of the respondents had no formal education. Major source of water to the household is from water vendors (39.1%) and it takes 87.2% of them less than 30 min to get water. Flush toilet system is mostly used (49.2%) while 9.4% have no toilet facility in the house. Almost 8% throw garbage into the street while majority either burn, bury or take the garbage to public dump site or disposal bin. About 71 and 16.5% wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating, respectively. Also 74% of the respondents make use of mosquito net while 64% take child for treatment outside home. Key household practices among CDDs on sewage and refuse disposal and personal hygiene are sub-optimal. Hence, project managers should consider the profile of those selected to be CDDs and establish training programs to improve their habits.