Rural–urban dimensions of the perception of malaria severity and practice of malaria preventive measures: insight from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Morbidities and mortalities caused by malaria are still a serious issue in Nigeria, with the country accounting for 25% of malaria morbidities and 24% of malaria mortalities globally in 2018. Treated bed nets reduce the incidence of malaria, but not all Nigerians use them. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with treated bed net usage, including perceived severity of malaria, and the rural–urban differences in the relationship between socio-demographic factors and use of treated bed nets in Nigeria. The analytic sample size comprised 40,693 women aged 15–49 years. Poisson regression and bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to test the study hypothesis that women who agreed that malaria could potentially lead to death would be more likely to adopt malaria preventive measures, including treated bed net use. About 48% of the women slept under a treated mosquito net the night before the survey. Those who perceived that malaria could lead to death had a higher likelihood of using a treated bed net in the urban, rural and combined samples. However, in the multivariable model, the association between perceived malaria severity and use of a treated bed net was only significant for rural women (APR=0.964, 95% CI: 0.933, 0.996). The results unexpectedly suggest that rural Nigerian women who perceive malaria to be severe have a lower likelihood of using treated bed nets. Also, rural–urban variations in the relationship between the socio-demographic variables and use of treated bed nets were observed. Policies should consider the observed rural–urban dichotomy in the influence of perceived severity of malaria and other socio-demographic factors on women’s use of treated bed nets in Nigeria.

Influence of Radio Messages on the Awareness and Adoption of Malaria Preventive Measures among Rural Dwellers in South-West Nigeria

“…The participants also felt the need to get diagnosed and treated by health professionals when infected with malaria disease because of the health risk that comes with being infected with malaria. These findings agree with Duodu et al (2021), who stated that people who thought malaria could result in death used treated mosquito nets more frequently in urban and rural areas as provided by the assumption of the Health Belief Model; the most effective behaviour change messages addressed perceived the advantages, barriers, self-efficacy, and dangers. Hence, there is a need for radio stations to design radio programmes that will mainly address the risks and advantages of health messages.…”

“…Thus, by the preceding arguments, the research objectives were to investigate how frequently rural dwellers in South-west Nigeria are exposed to radio messages on malaria preventive measures, know the extent to which rural dwellers in South-west Nigeria adopt malaria preventive measures, know the attitude of rural dwellers in South-west Nigeria towards the adoption of malaria preventive measures, and find out the communication techniques used to encourage the adoption of malaria preventive measures on the radio in South-west Nigeria. Duodu et al (2021) studied how people in rural and urban areas perceive the prevalence of malaria and the preventive measures. The study's objective was to examine the variables that affect mosquito nets in Nigeria, including the perceived seriousness of malaria and disparities between rural and urban areas in the association between socio-demographic parameters and the use of mosquito nets.…”

“…The result showed that approximately 48% of the women slept inside a mosquito net the night before the study. Duodu et al (2021) asserted that people who thought that malaria could result in death used treated mosquito nets more frequently in urban and rural areas. Thus, Duodu et al (2021) established the participants' perceptions of malaria preventive measures; however, the authors needed to investigate the participants' sentiments on mosquito nets, resulting in a low rate of usage and, in turn, the prevalence of malaria disease.…”

“…Duodu et al (2021) asserted that people who thought that malaria could result in death used treated mosquito nets more frequently in urban and rural areas. Thus, Duodu et al (2021) established the participants' perceptions of malaria preventive measures; however, the authors needed to investigate the participants' sentiments on mosquito nets, resulting in a low rate of usage and, in turn, the prevalence of malaria disease. This is the gap that the current study investigated by observing the attitudes of rural residents in Osun State towards adopting malaria measures.…”

Insecticide-treated bed net utilization and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This may be because women from urban communities were closer to health professionals/health institutions, media, and education; there was a difference in ITN utilization by residence. Consequently, they may be aware of the risk of malaria and the benefits of sleeping under ITN during pregnancy [ 41 ].…”