Perception of bed nets and malaria prevention amongst users of insecticide-treated bed net in a semi-urban community in south-south Nigeria.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the use and success of insecticide treated nets (ITN) in malaria control requires a good insight into the people's perceptions of malaria and ITN. This study reports on the perception of mothers of malaria, malaria prevention, and ITN, before and one year after the ITNs was bought from a social marketing programme. METHODS: The study was an intervention study carried out using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The respondents were mothers who bought ITN sold by a social marketing project in Egbema a semi-urban community in Rivers State. The pre-intervention study was carried out at the time of purchase of the nets, while the post-intervention study was done one year later. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the proportion of respondents who mentioned mosquito as the sole cause of malaria. (P < 0.001). There was also a significant reduction in the malaria burden of the household (P < 0.001). Most of the respondents (84.8%) stated that they liked the ITN because it ensures a good night sleep, free from the nuisance of mosquitoes. However, 48.31% complained of heat, and 26.40% complained of the task of having to mount the net every night for their children. CONCLUSION: Sustained health education and use of ITN can promote the use of the nets for malaria control.