Socio-economic determinants of ownership and use of treated bed nets in Nigeria: results from a cross-sectional study in Cross River and Bauchi States in 2011

Abstract

BackgroundPoor people bear a disproportionate burden of malaria and prevention measures may not reach them well. A study carried out to examine the socio-economic factors associated with ownership and use of treated bed nets in Cross River and Bauchi States of Nigeria took place soon after campaigns to distribute treated bed nets.MethodsA cross-sectional household survey about childhood illnesses among mothers of children less than four years of age and focus group discussions in 90 communities in each of the two states asked about household ownership of treated bed nets and their use for children under four years old. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined associations between socio-economic and other variables and these outcomes in each state.ResultsSome 72% of 7,685 households in Cross River and 87% of 5,535 households in Bauchi State had at least one treated bed net. In Cross River, urban households were more likely to possess bed nets, as were less-poor households (enough food in the last week), those with a male head, and those from communities with a formal health facility. In Bauchi, less-poor households and those with a more educated head were more likely to possess nets. In households with nets, only about half of children under four years old always slept under a net: 54% of 11,267 in Cross River and 57% of 11,277 in Bauchi. Factors associated with use of nets for young children in Cross River were less-poor households, fewer young children in the household, more education of the father, antenatal care of the mother, and younger age of the child, while in Bauchi the factors were a mother with more education and antenatal care, and younger age of the child. Some focus groups complained of distribution difficulties, and many described misconceptions about adverse effects of nets as an important reason for not using them.ConclusionDespite a recent campaign to distribute treated bed nets, disadvantaged households were less likely to possess them and to use them for young children. Efforts are needed to reach these households and to dispel fears about dangers of using treated nets.

A cross-sectional study of the prevalence, density and risk factors associated with malaria transmission in urban communities of Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

“…This is in line with previous studies which showed that people can be acquainted with the knowledge of malaria transmission, prevention and control irrespective of their educational status [27,28]. This is however in contrast to the report of Adedotun et al, [29], Eteng et al, [30] and Dawaki et al, [31] who noted that the level of education signi cantly in uence the knowledge, attitude and practices of people which in turn can lead to reduced malaria infection. Similarly, those who travelled to rural area or village in this study area had higher malaria prevalence and density.…”

Determination of the predictive factors of long-lasting insecticide-treated net ownership and utilisation in the Bamenda Health District of Cameroon

“…It has been explained in the Cross River state of Nigeria [29] that educated parents may be better able to appreciate the importance of treated nets in malaria prevention and to understand the information included in the public awareness campaigns which will eventually influence bednet usage by their families. Such associations have also been shown by in Kinshasa-DRC by Pettifor et al [30] and Ndjinga and Minakawa [31] and in Mfou-Cameroon by Tchinda et al [3].…”

Zika and chikungunya: mosquito‐borne viruses in a changing world

“…Variation in wealth has been linked to human exposure in multiple vector‐borne disease systems across resource‐wealthy and resource‐poor nations . This is due, in part, to changes in mosquito breeding habitats around the home, land cover, availability of other food sources, access to public health infrastructure (e.g., vaccines and therapeutics), and access to education and to intervention strategies, such as bed nets . The proportion of a population of a given age or sex can also influence exposure to vector‐borne disease via age‐, sex‐, or even pregnancy‐related differences in human behavior .…”

“…154,155 This is due, in part, to changes in mosquito breeding habitats around the home, 156 land cover, [157][158][159][160][161] availability of other food sources, [162][163][164] access to public health infrastructure (e.g., vaccines and therapeutics), 165 and access to education and to intervention strategies, such as bed nets. 166,167 The proportion of a population of a given age or sex can also influence exposure to vector-borne disease via age-, sex-, or even pregnancy-related differences in human behavior. [166][167][168] Current mapping efforts, which highlight the transmission risk of CHIKV and ZIKV globally, fail to incorporate these factors.…”

“…166,167 The proportion of a population of a given age or sex can also influence exposure to vector-borne disease via age-, sex-, or even pregnancy-related differences in human behavior. [166][167][168] Current mapping efforts, which highlight the transmission risk of CHIKV and ZIKV globally, fail to incorporate these factors. 169,170 Thus, predicting the risk of CHIKV transmission in novel regions requires understanding the relative importance of the environmental and genetic determinants of transmission potential and the interactions among them and the socioeconomic and demographic predictors of human exposure.…”