Willingness to accept indoor residual spraying (IRS) for malaria prevention and associated factors in Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: indoor residual spraying (IRS) is still a key vector control intervention for reducing malaria transmission. However, in areas with limited access to health facilities and infrastructure, willingness to accept and determinants have not been adequately evaluated. Hence, this study aimed to investigate households’ willingness to accept IRS and associated factors in Bench Sheko zone, Southwest Region of Ethiopia. Methods: a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using 589 randomly selected household heads. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. A face-to-face data interview was used to collect the data. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors of willingness to accept IRS. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the strength of the association. Results: the overall household willingness to accept IRS for malaria control was 59.4% (95% CI: 55.3%-63.3%). Households with secondary school education and above (AOR = 4.4; 95% CI: 2.21-8.53; age ≥35 years, AOR = 3.51; 95% CI: 1.68-7.33; good knowledge about malaria, AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.21-4.26; receiving sensitization program, AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.05-3.76 favored odds of accepting an IRS while perceived bedbug and flea activation, AOR= 0.44; 95% CI: 0.20-0.97 decreased likelihood of IRS acceptance after controlling for other variables. Conclusion: the willingness to accept the IRS was moderate and it was driven by sociodemographic and behavioral aspects. Therefore, enhancing targeted community mobilization is crucial for maximizing the uptake and acceptance of the IRS.