Determinants of insecticide treated bednet (ITN) use by households in Nigeria

Purpose: To assess ITN characteristics which enable its use in Nigerian children.

Methods: 814 caregivers of children from Lagos State, Nigeria were recruited through primary schools. Collected responses were coded and the data analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: Only 58% of respondents owned ITNs which contrasts sharply with the government's program of giving free ITNs to every household in the state. The number of ITNs in a household, education on the use of the ITN, source of education, and co-sharing of ITN were found to be significantly associated with its increased use. Characteristics of the ITN found to be significantly associated with its use by a child included: age and shape of ITN, tying ITN to nails on the wall, and frequent washing of the ITN. The number of times a child had malaria in past 6 months, where child slept at night, and use of other malaria control measures were also associated with use of ITN by child. After adjusting for area, age of caregiver and child, gender of caregiver and child, the following variables were significantly associated with use of ITN by child (p<0.05): age of ITN, tying the ITN to nails on the wall, and washing the ITN at least 1-2 times per month.

Conclusions: We identify a strong need for community education on bednets in the ongoing effort to reduce the burden of childhood malaria in Nigeria. Bednet characteristics have not received much attention in planning malaria control programs in different communities and cultures.