Introduction: Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) are commonly used as a physical barrier to prevent malaria infection. One of the most important ways to reduce the burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa is through the use of ITNs.
Insecticide-treated bed nets are a cost-effective vector control strategy for malaria prevention and should be treated with insecticides and regularly maintained. This means that the use of insecticide-treated bed nets in areas with high malaria prevalence is a highly effective way to prevent malaria transmission.
The sample for this study included the head of the household or any household member aged 18 years or older who had lived in the household for at least 6 months.
Respondents who were severely or critically ill and unable to communicate during the data collection period were excluded from the sample.
Respondents who reported sleeping under a mosquito net in the early morning before the interview date were considered users and slept under a mosquito net in the early morning on observation days 29 and 30.
In areas with high malaria incidence, such as Pawe County, insecticide-treated mosquito nets have become an important tool for malaria prevention. Although the Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia has made great efforts to increase the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, there are still barriers to their promotion and use.
In some areas, there may be misunderstandings or resistance to the use of insecticide-treated nets, leading to low uptake. Some areas may face unique challenges such as conflict, displacement, or extreme poverty that can severely limit the distribution and use of insecticide-treated nets, such as Benishangul Gumuz Metekel district.
In addition, they tend to have better access to resources and are often more willing to adopt new methods and technologies, making them more receptive to the continued use of insecticide-treated nets.
This may be because education is associated with several interrelated factors. People with higher levels of education tend to have better access to information and a greater understanding of the importance of insecticide-treated nets for malaria prevention. They tend to have higher levels of health literacy and are able to effectively interpret health information and interact with health care providers. In addition, education is often associated with higher socioeconomic status, which provides people with the resources to obtain and maintain insecticide-treated nets. Educated people are also more likely to challenge cultural beliefs, be more receptive to new health technologies, and adopt positive health behaviors, thereby positively influencing their peers’ use of insecticide-treated nets.
In our study, household size was also a significant factor in predicting insecticide-treated net use. Respondents with a small household size (four or fewer people) were twice as likely to use insecticide-treated nets than those with a large household size (more than four people) .
Post time: Jul-03-2025