Use of Insecticide- Treated Nets at the Household Level in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Despite evidence that the use of ITNs decreases malaria-related morbidity and mortality, the use of ITNs in sub-Saharan Africa remains relatively low. The aim of this study is to find out the factors that influence the use of ITNs in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study with the household as the unit of the study, was conducted in January 2017 in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern region of Ghana. The study used a quantitative approach. A structured questionnaire was used to establish the demographic characteristics of households’ heads and factors affecting ITN use. Descriptive statistics were used to define household ITN use and logistic regression analysis used to identify factors associated with use and non- use of ITNs. Results: ITN ownership among household heads was 58%(231). The results showed a significant association between sex of respondents and ITN ownership (X2=10.75 p-value= 0.001). Majority (42.25%) of the respondents had not used ITN the previous night while 31.75% indicated they sleep under an ITN. The findings showed a strong association between decision making authority and ITN use with a p-value of 0.015 (X2=8.36). Again, the employment status of household heads and ITN use were found to be significantly associated (X2= 9.36, p-value=0.009). ITNs use was found to be high (63.4%) among Household whose heads were informal workers compared to those with formal employment (22.8%) and the unemployed (13.73%). There was a significant association between income of household heads and ITN use (p-value<0.001). Married household heads were twice as likely to use an ITN as compared to household heads who were single (OR:2.00, 95%CI: 1.20 -3.07). Household heads who were formal workers were 2.7 times more likely to use an ITN as compared to household heads who were not employed. CONCLUSION: The study found that, ITN use in the Yilo Krobo Municipality was low with factors such as; demographic, and Household factors contributing to this low utilization of the ITNs.