Perception and predictors of insecticide-treated net use in a rural northern nigerian community

• Main Authors: Zubairu lliyasu, Auwalu Umar, Gajida Aminu, Suleiman Jahun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
• Series: Sahel Medical Journal
• Subjects: Malaria; Perception; Predictors of ITN use
• Online Access: http://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2010;volume=13;issue=4;spage=72;epage=79;aulast=lliyasu;type=0

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa carries a high burden of malaria. Despite evidence of the effectiveness of insecticide treated nets (ITNs), utilization rates are still low. Methods: We assessed community perception of malaria and determinants of lTN use among 158 households in rural northern Nigeria using interviewer administered structured questionnaires. Results: Nearly all respondents 157(99.4%) were familiar with the term "malaria" and attributed it to mosquito bite. Other mentioned causes of malaria included unclean environment (74%), heat (7%), overwork (1.9%), and contaminated water (0.6%). The symptoms mentioned included fever (95%), headache (52.5%), body weakness (41.1%) and vomiting (25.9%). Most respondents (84.0%) were aware of ITNs but only 34.8% used them. Willingness to buy at current market price, health workers as source of information and the use of mosquito coils were significant predictors of lTN use. Conclusion: High awareness of ITNs did not translate into its utilization. Public health education in malaria including free ITN use should be delivered by health workers.