Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana.
Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are essential for malaria prevention, significantly reducing the incidence of malaria, particularly among children under five. However, the utilization of ITNs varies widely due to several factors. This study aimed to assess ITN ownership and utilization patterns amon...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | PLOS Global Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004228 |
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| author | Emmanuel Abu Bonsra Petra Amankwah Osei Akua Grace Sekyi Gideon Amankwah Kyere |
| author_facet | Emmanuel Abu Bonsra Petra Amankwah Osei Akua Grace Sekyi Gideon Amankwah Kyere |
| author_sort | Emmanuel Abu Bonsra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are essential for malaria prevention, significantly reducing the incidence of malaria, particularly among children under five. However, the utilization of ITNs varies widely due to several factors. This study aimed to assess ITN ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers of children under five years old. A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a multi-stage sampling to collect quantitative data from 211 caregivers. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics via Stata 17. Of the total respondents (211), 77 (36.5%) own ITNs, while 134 (63.5%) do not own ITNs. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between ITN knowledge and factors such as sex (p = 0.025), educational level (p = 0.043), marital status (p < 0.001), religion (p = 0.020), challenges faced in using ITNs (p = 0.012), affordability (p = 0.001), and cultural beliefs (p = 0.003). Binary regression analysis indicated that caregivers facing challenges in using ITNs were 50% less likely to utilize them compared to those without such challenges (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.26-0.96, p = 0.040). Additionally, caregivers who found ITNs inconvenient or hot were 30% less likely to use them compared to those who viewed them as costly (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.43-1.33). To enhance ITN utilization, the Ghana Health Service should tailor interventions to address practical barriers and improve educational outreach, bridging the gap between knowledge and usage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5317ff31f77e48cab3f12db6d2cbc2a3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2767-3375 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLOS Global Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-5317ff31f77e48cab3f12db6d2cbc2a32025-02-12T05:48:26ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752025-01-0152e000422810.1371/journal.pgph.0004228Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana.Emmanuel Abu BonsraPetra Amankwah OseiAkua Grace SekyiGideon Amankwah KyereInsecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are essential for malaria prevention, significantly reducing the incidence of malaria, particularly among children under five. However, the utilization of ITNs varies widely due to several factors. This study aimed to assess ITN ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers of children under five years old. A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a multi-stage sampling to collect quantitative data from 211 caregivers. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics via Stata 17. Of the total respondents (211), 77 (36.5%) own ITNs, while 134 (63.5%) do not own ITNs. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between ITN knowledge and factors such as sex (p = 0.025), educational level (p = 0.043), marital status (p < 0.001), religion (p = 0.020), challenges faced in using ITNs (p = 0.012), affordability (p = 0.001), and cultural beliefs (p = 0.003). Binary regression analysis indicated that caregivers facing challenges in using ITNs were 50% less likely to utilize them compared to those without such challenges (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.26-0.96, p = 0.040). Additionally, caregivers who found ITNs inconvenient or hot were 30% less likely to use them compared to those who viewed them as costly (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.43-1.33). To enhance ITN utilization, the Ghana Health Service should tailor interventions to address practical barriers and improve educational outreach, bridging the gap between knowledge and usage.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004228 |
| spellingShingle | Emmanuel Abu Bonsra Petra Amankwah Osei Akua Grace Sekyi Gideon Amankwah Kyere Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana. PLOS Global Public Health |
| title | Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana. |
| title_full | Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana. |
| title_fullStr | Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana. |
| title_short | Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years: A community-based cross-sectional study in Battor, North Tongu District, Ghana. |
| title_sort | insecticide treated bed nets itn ownership and utilization patterns among caregivers with children under five years a community based cross sectional study in battor north tongu district ghana |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004228 |
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