Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Use of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets (ITNS) Among Residents of Namasale Landing Site in Amolatar District.

Abstract

Background to the study Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda and it is endemic in 95% parts of Uganda (PMI, 2009). According to ADHSD (2012), malaria accounted for 30% of all disease burdens in Amolatar district in 2009. Several trials carried out in the 1980s and 1990s showed that proper use of ITNs can reduce malaria cases by up to 50% and a reduction in deaths of children under 5 years by 20% (NSMC, 2001). In 2002, Uganda adopted a WHO recommended quality standard for ITNs and developed a national implementation strategy for ITNs in 2003. By June, 2008, over 5 million ITNs had been distributed to households with pregnant women and children less than 5 years in various parts of Uganda including Amolatar district (MOH, 2008). Despite all these efforts, the level of utilization of ITNs in Amolatar district has remained low bringing into question the knowledge, attitudes and practices of this community regarding use of ITNs. There is paucity of data on knowledge, attitudes and practices about use of ITNs in Amolatar district hence the purpose of the study. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) among residents of Namasale Landing Site in Amolatar District. Study objectives The specific objectives were to: - establish the level of knowledge regarding use of ITNs among residents of Namasale Landing Site in Amolatar district, determine the attitudes regarding use of ITNs among residents of Namasale Landing Site in Amolatar district and establish the practices regarding use of ITNs of residents of Namasale Landing Site in Amolatar district. Research methods A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. The target population was residents of Namasale Landing Site who were at least 18 years of age. The data was collected through use of researcher administered questionnaires, observations and key informants interviews. The quantitative data were categorized and analyzed using STATA statistical Edited with the trial version of Foxit Advanced PDF Editor To remove this notice, visit: www.foxitsoftware.com/shopping software version 12 while qualitative data were manually summarized. Graphs and tables were used in the presentation of results and standard error and confidence intervals were used in the reporting of results. The research questions were addressed by estimating proportions and chi-square tests for independence to test any association between the dependent and independent variables. Key findings Most of the respondents (91.7%) said malaria was a problem at Namasale landing site and 77.7% of the respondents had ever heard about ITNs. The level of awareness about ITNs among the respondents was good with 78.6% of the respondents knowing that ITNs can be used to prevent malaria. There was a statistically significant association between knowledge of ITNs and use of ITNs with 95.6% of those whose family members were sleeping under ITNs having knowledge about ITNs (P=0.003). Seventy percent (70%) of the respondents were not willing to spend their money on ITNs and the main reason given for this decision was that ITNs were too expensive for them (72.7%). The study showed that 57% of those who slept under the ITNs the night before the survey were the respondents themselves with only 14% and 13.2% of children under five years and pregnant women sleeping under the ITNs respectively. Sharing of ITNs among family members is a common practice among residents of Namasale Landing Site with 76.3% of those using the ITNs sharing them. Recommendations The government and all relevant stakeholders in malaria control and prevention should embark on aggressive ITNs awareness creation in order to dispel the negative attitudes expressed by the respondents in this study including myths about side-effects of ITNs, increase knowledge about ITNs as well as discourage the negative practices by the respondents (such as frequent washing of ITNs, drying ITNs in the sunshine and infrequent use of ITNs) that compromise the effectiveness of ITNs.