Use of insecticide treated net (ITNS) among households and its impact on malaria prevalence in the communities in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assess the effectiveness of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in reducing the prevalence of malaria among households following the Roll Back Malaria  campaign on malaria prevention awareness and free distribution of ITNs in Ezza North L G A, Ebonyi State. Blood film examination was conducted on 715 persons and structured questionnaire administered to 304 household members. Data were analyzed using statistical package (SPSS) and presented as tables and significance of associations in parasitaemia prevalence. Results revealed that malaria parasite were observed in 175 (24.5%) out of 715 individuals examined. The highest  prevalence of 8.3% was recorded among individuals aged 5-10 years. Females were more infected (12.9%) than their male counterpart (11.6%) with p=0.251. On ownership of ITNs, it was observed that 196 (64.5%) of the 304 households owned at least one ITNs and 152 (77.6%) households used their ITNs properly.  Households who do not use bed net, stands 6.120 chance of been infected (ODD Ratio calculation). Malaria parasitaemia reported in this study is still high and sleeping under ITNs consistently has been found to significantly reduce the prevalence of malaria among the study-subjects. It is therefore recommended that ITNs campaign be intensified for increase in ITN ownership and usage among all individuals in the community.

Keywords: ITN ownership; malaria prevalence; Ezza North; Ebonyi State.