Factors Associated With Usage of Long-Lasting Insecticides-Treated Nets among Children Aged 5-14 Years in Aflao (Ketu South Municipality)

Abstract

Background: Despite the existence of long lasting insecticide treated nets as a cost-effective tool of prevention of malaria, this disease still present as a serious public health burden in Ghana. Children aged 5 to 14 years account for the group that are less likely to utilize Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs). Objectives: This study was conducted to explore factors associated with the use of LLINs among children aged 5-14 years in Aflao town in Ketu South Municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Aflao, the largest town in Ketu South municipality. The study population included households respondents with children aged 5-14 years resident in Aflao. Information about Household respondents socio-demographic characteristics, housing structure and characteristics of insecticide-treated nets in the household were gathered. Test of association was performed and logistic regression was used to determine factor associated with the usage of the net among the children age range. Results: A total of 414 household respondents were interviewed (household head or designated representative). The mean age of the household respondent was 37.9 years and female represented the majority of household respondent interviewed (80.2%). About 71.3% of households owned at least one long-lasting insecticide treated net whilst 50.4% of children aged 5 to 14 years slept under the nets during the night preceding the interview. There was a significant association between the number of bed nets in the household and children aged 5 to 14 sleeping under the nets (OR=2.39, 95%CI (1.34-4.27); p<0.01). The usage of alternative methods in the household to avoid the bite of mosquito was associated with a reduction of up to 90% of the likelihood of the children sleeping under the nets (OR=0.1, 95%CI(0.06-0.22); p<0.001). This alternatie method included most often the usage of spatial repellents (mosquito coils) and insecticide sprays. Parental usage of bed net positively predicted the usage by the children aged 5 to 14 years. Conclusion: Universal coverage of Aflao population is not yet reached. And poor usage of nets among children aged 5 to 14 years are associated with multiple factors. Even though a higher number of nets in the household does not translate necessarily in usage, parental habit represents a positive drive force for the usage of bed nets by the children and family Keywords: children, long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, usage, malaria, Ketu South, Ghana