Determinants of insecticide treated net utilization among under-fives in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Insecticide treated net (ITN) is pivotal to malaria control but reports show a relatively low ITN utilization when compared to household ownership. It is important to explore the determinants of ITN utilization in order to bridge this gap. Objectives: To determine the factors associated with ITN utilization among under-fives. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted from February to April 2015 among under-fives in Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 494 households from which 413 under-fives were recruited. Information on ITN utilization was obtained using a WHO validated tool. The independent predictors of ITN utilization were determined. Result: ITN was mainly used to prevent mosquito bites (48.3%) and malaria (29.2%). Non-utilization was mainly attributed to heat (38.5%), ‘no reason’ (11.5%) and low mosquito activity (11.1%). Household head of 30-39 years, the presence of two under-fives in a household and the number of ITNs observed hanging over bed spaces were the independent of predictors utilization. Conclusion: Caregivers aged 30 – 39 years, presence of two under-five children in a household and the number of ITNs observed hanging over bed spaces were the predictors of ITN utilization.