Knowledge, attitude and Practices Towards Utilization of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets in Prevention of Malaria Among the Residents of Namuwongo Zones A and B.

Abstract

In several African settings, ITNs reduced the death of children less than 5 years by about 20% (WHO, 2014). In Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), more than one malaria case occurred per 1000 which accounted for 90% of global death and ITN use was less than 35% by 2014 in the region. This indicates poor rate of ITNs use.

The main aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices towards utilization of insecticide treated mosquito nets in prevention of malaria among the residents of Namuwongo Zones A and B.

The study employed a descriptive cross sectional study using quantitative method of data collection. A total of 276 respondents were randomly selected and data was collected using interview guided questionnaires.

The study found relatively good knowledge about ITNs use where; majority 259(94%) of the respondents had ever heard of ITNs, and 243(88%) knew they were used to prevent malaria. A slack awareness was evident where 179(65%) thought that shops and markets were the best places to get ITNs while 193(70%) wrongly thought that ITNs were not retreatable.

Attitudes were generally negative, because majority believed that; 171(62%) it was not important to sleep under an ITN every day, 160(58%) mosquitoes could still bite through ITNs, 152(55%) ITNs could make it difficult for them to get up during the night, 171(62%) it took much time to tuck the net each night, 166(60%) ITNs could lead to suffocation, 201(73%) ITNs had bad odour and 178(64%) drugs used to retreat ITNs were unsafe.

Practices were poor since; 152(85%) did not always check for holes in their ITNs, 120(67%) displayed ITNs at time of convenience, 110(61%) did not have ITNs on all beds, 168(94%) never retreated their ITNs and 118(66%) had untidy ITNs, 129(72%) households had no ITN hangs, 132(74%) had unfavourable sleeping arrangements to enable good display of ITNs, 104(58%) had ITNs with holes, in 107(60%) households, ITNs were not folded and 113(63%) of the respondents could not make a good illustration of ITN display.

In conclusion, respondents had fairly good knowledge about ITNs use, but with negative attitude which could have led to the poor practice. The researcher therefore suggests that; government should reinforce education to the public on the importance of ITN use in prevention of malaria so as to change the attitude which will in turn improve on practice.