Assessment of Distribution, Knowledge and Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets in Selected Malaria Prone Areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) reduce malaria related mortality and morbidity significantly. Taking
this into account, the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health has been distributing ITNs to malaria prone areas of the
country through the support of the Global Fund.
Objective: To study distributional coverage and assess the knowledge and utilization of insecticide treated nets in
Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 17 malarious districts targeted for the first phase free distribution
of long lasting insecticide treats nets (LLITNs) by the Ministry of Health in 9 administrative regions from October
2005 to September 2006. Region specific list of malarious districts where MOH distributed ITNs was used as the
sampling frame for stratified random sampling of districts. One kebele (sub district) was selected from each of the
selected districts using simple random sampling, and 15% of the total households in the selected kebeles were selected
using systematic random sampling. Upon obtaining informed consent from the household head or the oldest person in
the household the questionnaire was administered and information was recorded. Data were double entered using
EpiData version 3 and analyzed using SPSS version 12.
Results: A total of 3131 households were visited, and 51.6% of the respondents were males. The overall ITN
distribution and utilization were 97.6% and 81.6%, respectively. The majority of households (53.2%) owned a single
net per family, highest in Dire Dawa (93.7%) and lowest in Afar (17.6%). Thirty eight percent of the respondents
owned two nets per household. Most of the respondents (91.1%) cited that ITNs are useful to control malaria either
through prevention of mosquito bites (60%) or prevention of the disease (39%).
Conclusion: ITN distribution, utilization, knowledge of users and its acceptability were good considering the recent
introduction of the products. However, the person net ratio gap should be narrowed and emphasis needs to be given to
vulnerable groups. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2008;22(3):268-274]