Qualitative study on the use and maintenance of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire), 17 months after the last mass distribution campaign

Abstract

Background The use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) is one of the main malaria prevention method promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Côte d'Ivoire. LLIN-coverage has reached 95% since 2015 and nearly 16 million LLINs were distributed in 2017. Despite these efforts, malaria incidence at the national level remains high (120‰ in 2012 to 164‰ in 2017) although this could be partly explained by increased screening efforts. This study aimed at determining what preventative measures were used against mosquito bites, as well as LLIN maintenance practices used by the inhabitants of the city of Bouaké, capital city of the Gbêkê region with a malaria incidence of 257‰ in 2017. Methods A descriptive qualitative investigation took place in Bouaké, in four neighbourhoods that were selected through purposive sampling based on their social composition. Data were collected using an interview guide based on convenience sampling. Results The results of the study reveal that LLINs are the most reported used malaria prevention measure (66.4%). Environmental health (28.8%) came second in their declarations, smoke coils (23.5%) third and aerosol cans (18.8%) last. The percentage of respondents who answered that they had slept under an LLIN the previous night was 53%. 57.7% reported that they wash their LLINs, 12.1% that they do not wash them, and 4% that they replace dirty LLINs with new ones. The LLINs washing methods described by the respondents did not comply with the WHO recommendations and there was no mention of LLINs repairs. Conclusion Despite mass distributions of LLINs in Côte d'Ivoire, this key malaria control tool remains under-used by the population. Regarding LLIN maintenance, more than half of the population reports that they wash their nets while not complying with recommended practices or repairing them.

Insufficient duration of insecticidal efficacy of Yahe® insecticide-treated nets in Papua New Guinea

“…The present study indicates that ITNs were washed relatively infrequently in the study sites in PNG, as compared to other studies [19][20][21], with over 90% of ITNs never having been washed in the first 6 months and a median number of washes of 1 (IQR 1-3) at 24 months after distribution. Most people used laundry powder or laundry soap bars to wash the ITNs but only a small percentage (7-8%) resorted to adding bleach.…”

Monitoring of Fabric Integrity and Attrition Rate of Dual-Active Ingredient Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets in Tanzania: A Prospective Cohort Study Nested in a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Generally, social and economic status are two of the factors affecting net handling. A study conducted in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, found that household owners with primary/higher education had better knowledge about how to manage (tuck in on the bed, washing, drying) nets than those who reported having received limited health information and education [9].…”

Assessing complex member composition and insecticide resistance status ofAnopheles gambiae s.l.in three coastal health districts of Côte d’Ivoire

“…The main objectives of the National Control Malaria Program (NMCP) are to reduce malaria morbidity by 40 percent and by 33 percent the malaria mortality in high-burden by 2026 compared to the 2015 baseline [6]. The vector control strategy implemented by the NMCP is mainly based on the mass deployment of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) every three years and recently by implementing indoor residual sprays (IRS) [7–9] in one district. In Côte d’Ivoire, the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2016–2020 has prioritized indoor residual spraying (IRS) as an additional vector control method to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality [10].…”