228270 Factors influencing the use of bednets in Southeastern Nigeria

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Tamica Moon, MPH , Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Julie Gutman, MD , Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Emmanuel Emukah , The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, Owerri, Nigeria
Patricia Graves, PhD , The Carter Center, Atlanta, GA
Nkwocha Omeni , The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, Owerri, Nigeria
Nwankwo Lawrence , The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, Owerri, Nigeria
Gift Opara , The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, Owerri, Nigeria
Adaku Echebima , The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, Owerri, Nigeria
Rita Otozi , The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, Owerri, Nigeria
Mgbodichi Onyia , The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, The Carter Center Southeast Programs, Nigeria, Owerri, Nigeria
Frank Richards, MD , The Carter Center, The Carter Center, Atlanta, GA
Malaria is a global public health problem accounting for 801,000 deaths annually in Africa. Nigeria has the highest number of affected people in Africa, accounting for a quarter of all malaria cases. Although numerous campaigns promote the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) against malaria transmission, Nigeria continues to be one of the countries with the lowest number of people utilizing ITNs. This study examines whether knowledge of malaria causation and prevention methods affects the use of ITNs. A cross-sectional household cluster survey was administered in 4 Local Government Area's in Nigeria to determine net ownership, use of protective measures, and general knowledge of malaria. Chi square test was used to analyze statistical significance of factors associated with bednet use. A total of 1039 households, consisting of 5234 people (908 under age 5) were surveyed. 76% of respondents and 59% of children under 5 were reported to have slept under an ITN the previous night. In households owning an ITN, children under 5 were more likely to have slept under a net if the adult family member reported knowing ITNs prevented malaria (p= < 0.0001). The primary reasons given for not using an ITN were lack of ownership (71%) and feeling too hot (10%). The majority of the respondents received information through radio campaigns with 51% of the messages relating to bednet use. This study showed that knowledge of malaria prevention influenced the use of ITNs, but further research is required to understand effective communication avenues to increase ITN use.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
1. Identified factors that are associated with bednet use in Nigeria 2. Articulate social behaviors as it relates to utilizing protective measures against malaria among households with children under 5 years of age 3. Analyze methods that can effectively increase the use of ITNs in Nigeria and reduce the incidence of malaria

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content because I have written several research papers relating to malaria. I am qualified to present because I have experience with presenting educational information.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.