सामुदायिक चिकित्सा एवं स्वास्थ्य शिक्षा

अमूर्त

Insecticide Treated Net, Possession, Spatial Distribution, Utilization and Associated Factors among Households of Jawi District, Northwest Ethiopia

Tiruneh Genet, Kassahun Alemu and Adane Nigusie

Introduction: In malaria endemic areas, use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) for protecting mosquito bite during sleeping is highly effective. Though ITN distribution has full coverage in Jawi District, northwest Ethiopia, the malaria transmission remains high. Hence, assessing the ITN utilization and associated factors are important for further interventions.
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate utilization of ITN and associated factors among households in Jawi-district, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among households at Jawi District from February to March, 2016. A stratified simple random sampling technique was applied. Data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaire and observation check list easy used. A total of 410 households were included in the study. A Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to gather geographical data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with ITN utilization among respondents. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance.
Result: The overall utilization of ITNs among households was 201(49.0%) (95% CI: 44.16, 53.9) with full coverage and possession of 2.4 individuals per ITN. Living in urban (AOR=3.0; 95% CI: 1.5, 6.0), having good knowledge (AOR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-4.0), two beds (AOR=2.4; 95%CI: 1.1-5.3) and being rich (AOR=2; 95% CI: 1.1-3.7) were predictors for ITN utilization. During dry season, ITN utilization among households reduced by 89% (AOR=0.11; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.17).
Conclusion: In this study, ITN utilization and possession was below the Universal standard. The full coverage of ITN, awareness and having knowledge merely doesn’t guarantee ITN utilization. Hence, mobilizing households on sustained use of ITNs in order to optimize their role as a malaria control tool on rural and resettled villages in all seasons are supreme important.