Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria
Abstract Background Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Africa where it is the most important vector-borne disease. Nigeria bears the largest burden, with pregnant women and children under 5 years being more affected. Although, long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) remain effec...
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2024-11-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05149-w |
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| author | Olufemi Oroge Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Baderinwa Opeyemi Akanji Bamgboye Morakinyo Afolabi Akeem Babatunde Bello |
| author_facet | Olufemi Oroge Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Baderinwa Opeyemi Akanji Bamgboye Morakinyo Afolabi Akeem Babatunde Bello |
| author_sort | Olufemi Oroge |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Africa where it is the most important vector-borne disease. Nigeria bears the largest burden, with pregnant women and children under 5 years being more affected. Although, long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) remain effective for control, its use has been suboptimal. Hence this study assessed, household ownership, physical integrity and use of LLINs among children. Methods A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out among 1642 households using a multistage sampling technique in Osun State, Nigeria. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics and use among under-fives. LLINs were inspected for physical integrity and cleanliness. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors influencing LLIN use by under-fives. Results The mean age of children was 32.2 ± 16.5 months. Most households, 1586 (96.6%) had an LLIN while 165 (10.4%) did not hang their net. Holes were present in LLINs in 360 (22.7%) households and 196 (12.4%) had dusty or stained nets. Most households, (1259; 79.4%), had at least one LLIN for every 2 household members and survey participants reported that 1331 (83.9%) under-fives slept under an LLIN the night before the survey. Factors associated with reported LLIN use were; older parents/guardians aged 50–59 years (AOR: 3.02; 95% CI 1.50–6.09), having a post-secondary education (AOR: 2.56; 95% CI 1.31–5.00), having LLIN obtained < 12 months (AOR: 4.27; 95% CI 2.39–7.64), households with one LLIN for every 2 members (AOR: 1.65; 95% CI 1.15–2.37) and households with clean nets (AOR 2.75; 95% CI 1.89–4.00) had increased odds of reported LLIN utilization by under-five children. Conclusion Although LLIN ownership and reported use were high in this study, gaps exist between ownership and reported use of LLINs. About one-fourth of LLINs had poor physical integrity. To maximize LLIN effectiveness in households, it is important to ensure the continued free distribution of nets and emphasize messages to parents/guardians on proper care, maintenance, and use of nets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7f473be45eec42d9b532be3f784b0983 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-7f473be45eec42d9b532be3f784b09832025-08-20T02:50:00ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752024-11-0123111110.1186/s12936-024-05149-wPreserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, NigeriaOlufemi Oroge0Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo1Baderinwa Opeyemi Akanji2Bamgboye Morakinyo Afolabi3Akeem Babatunde Bello4Ministry of HealthDepartment of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo UniversityDepartment of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital ComplexNigerian Institute of Medical ResearchMinistry of HealthAbstract Background Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Africa where it is the most important vector-borne disease. Nigeria bears the largest burden, with pregnant women and children under 5 years being more affected. Although, long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) remain effective for control, its use has been suboptimal. Hence this study assessed, household ownership, physical integrity and use of LLINs among children. Methods A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out among 1642 households using a multistage sampling technique in Osun State, Nigeria. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics and use among under-fives. LLINs were inspected for physical integrity and cleanliness. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors influencing LLIN use by under-fives. Results The mean age of children was 32.2 ± 16.5 months. Most households, 1586 (96.6%) had an LLIN while 165 (10.4%) did not hang their net. Holes were present in LLINs in 360 (22.7%) households and 196 (12.4%) had dusty or stained nets. Most households, (1259; 79.4%), had at least one LLIN for every 2 household members and survey participants reported that 1331 (83.9%) under-fives slept under an LLIN the night before the survey. Factors associated with reported LLIN use were; older parents/guardians aged 50–59 years (AOR: 3.02; 95% CI 1.50–6.09), having a post-secondary education (AOR: 2.56; 95% CI 1.31–5.00), having LLIN obtained < 12 months (AOR: 4.27; 95% CI 2.39–7.64), households with one LLIN for every 2 members (AOR: 1.65; 95% CI 1.15–2.37) and households with clean nets (AOR 2.75; 95% CI 1.89–4.00) had increased odds of reported LLIN utilization by under-five children. Conclusion Although LLIN ownership and reported use were high in this study, gaps exist between ownership and reported use of LLINs. About one-fourth of LLINs had poor physical integrity. To maximize LLIN effectiveness in households, it is important to ensure the continued free distribution of nets and emphasize messages to parents/guardians on proper care, maintenance, and use of nets.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05149-wLong lasting insecticidal netsNet integrityUnder-fivesLLIN use |
| spellingShingle | Olufemi Oroge Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo Baderinwa Opeyemi Akanji Bamgboye Morakinyo Afolabi Akeem Babatunde Bello Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria Malaria Journal Long lasting insecticidal nets Net integrity Under-fives LLIN use |
| title | Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_full | Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_short | Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria |
| title_sort | preserving nets protecting children an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long lasting insecticidal nets among under five children in osun state nigeria |
| topic | Long lasting insecticidal nets Net integrity Under-fives LLIN use |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05149-w |
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