Socio-demographic factors influencing the ownership and utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets among malaria vulnerable groups in the Buea Health District, Cameroon

BMC Research Notes

Mary Bi Suh Atanga²  Julius Atashili¹  Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele³  Judith Lum Ndamukong-Nyanga³  Sarah Bi Nkesa¹  Helen Kuokuo Kimbi³ 

[1] Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, SWR, Cameroon;Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, NWR, Cameroon;Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, SWR, Cameroon

关键词: Cameroon;    Children;    Pregnant women;    Bed nets;    Prevention;    Malaria;   

Others  :  1129646
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-7-624

 received in 2014-03-12, accepted in 2014-09-06,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Malaria remains a public health problem and the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) against it in vulnerable groups (pregnant women and children <5 years) is recommended in Cameroon. This study was aimed at assessing the socio-demographic factors influencing the ownership and utilization of ITNs among vulnerable groups in the Buea Health District (BHD).

Methods

In a cross-sectional survey a questionnaire was administered in households with at least a child <5 years and/pregnant woman in five health areas of the BHD. Information on demographic variables, household composition, mosquito bed net (MBN) ownership, utilization and factors influencing ownership and utilization was recorded.

Results

A total of 443 respondents were recruited and 208 (47.0%) possessed at least one MBN (total = 275 MBNs) with a median of 1.33 nets. Of the 275 nets found in households, 89 (32%) were potent ITNs and others had never been retreated/treated. Purchase of MBNs from the market was associated with marital status (P = 0.010) and urban settlement (P = 0.045). The number of respondents who did not know where to retreat/treat ITNs was significantly higher (P = 0.005) in urban than rural dwellers. The proportion of rural respondents who had once taken their MBNs for re-treatment was significantly higher (P = 0.002) than that of urban dwellers. MBN utilisation was 69.7% (95% confidence interval; CI = .63.2–75.6%). A total of 83.4%, 13.8% and 3.4% used MBNs throughout the year, during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. MBN use in children under five was associated with being from an urban area (P = 0.01). MBN use in pregnant women was associated with living in block-louver houses than in block-pane houses (P = 0.047).

Conclusions

Utilization of MBN needs to be encouraged to match ownership while free distribution of ITNs to vulnerable groups needs to be continuous and consistent.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Kimbi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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