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. 2019 Sep 3;19(1):1216.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-7555-x.

Coverage and usage of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) within households: associated factors and effect on the prevalance of malaria parasitemia in the Mount Cameroon area

Charles Njumkeng  1   2 , Tobias O Apinjoh  3 , Judith K Anchang-Kimbi  4 , Elvis T Amin  5 , Elvis A Tanue  5   6 , Clarisse Njua-Yafi  7   8 , Eric A Achidi  3
Affiliations

Coverage and usage of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) within households: associated factors and effect on the prevalance of malaria parasitemia in the Mount Cameroon area

Charles Njumkeng et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a widely used tool that has been proven to be effective in the prevention and control of malaria in malaria endemic countries. However, usage varies among households and can greatly affect the benefits of ITNs as a control tool for malaria transmission. This study determined the coverage and usage of ITNS as well as associated factors and the effect of coverage and usage on the prevalence of malaria parasitemia within households in the Mount Cameroon area.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2014 in six communities within the Mount Cameroon area. Households within the communities were enrolled through multistage sampling and household survey was done using a structured questionnaire. Capillary blood was collected for malaria parasite determination. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 for windows. Differences in proportions were assessed using the Chi-square test while factors affecting ITNs usage were assessed in multivariate logistic regression at a statistical significance of P ≤ 0.05.

Results: A total of 504 households were surveyed, 1564 bed spaces reported while 915(58.5, 95% CI: 56.1-60.9) of the bed spaces had nets and 391(77.6, 95% CI, 74.0-80.2) of the households had at least one bed net. The odds of using ITNs was 2 folds higher (OR = 2.41; 95% CI 1.58-3.69 p = 0.001) and 3 folds higher (OR = 3.149, 95% CI 1.53-6.47 p = 0.002) among houses with 5 to 9 occupants and above 10 occupants respectively when compared to houses with less than 5 occupants. In addition, Individuals living in cement block houses were less likely to use ITNs. Compared to those living in wooden houses (OR = 0.488, 95% CI: 0.269-0.885; p = 0 .018). Rural communities had lower ITN coverage compared to semi-urban communities (p = 0.0001). Increase in ITNs coverage significantly reduces malaria prevalence (correlation - 0.899, p = 0.015).

Conclusion: Despite the efforts made to scale up ITN distribution so that universal coverage can be attained, coverage remains low. Increasing coverage and putting in place a mechanism to replace torn nets will go a long way reduce the prevalence of malaria parasitemia.

Keywords: Cameroon; Coverage; Households; ITNS; Malaria; Usage.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Proportion of nets that are not in use in the community
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Reasons for not using ITNs within the households
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Community specific reasons for not using ITNs within the households
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Percentage of ITNs coverage, usages and malaria prevalence across communities
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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