Geographical/Ecological Differentials in Insecticide-Treated Net Use among Under-Five Children in Somolu Local Government Area, Lagos State.

Abstract

Malaria control efforts currently lay emphasis on reducing transmission by limiting human-vector contact. More studies have been carried out on mosquito avoidance practices in the rural areas, leaving the urban areas understudied. This study was conducted to identify knowledge of malaria transmission and to investigate geographical/ecological differentials in the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) among caregivers of under-fives in Somolu Local Government Area, Lagos State. A household survey was conducted by interviewing 394 female caregivers of under-fives selected using the WHO Lot Quality Technique from communities stratified based on level of planning and drainage. The mean age of the respondents was 33.6 ± 7.7 years. Malaria transmission was attributed mostly to mosquito bites in all strata: S1 (58.3%), S2 (56.1%) and S3 (61.4%). Mosquito net was mentioned as a preventive measure by: 59.3% (S1), 80.7% (S2) and 64.3% (S3). Ownership of long-lasting insecticidal nets was: 76.0% (S1), 75.4% (S2) and 68.6% (S3), and of these, 73.1% (S1), 70.7% (S2) and 72.4% (S3) reported that their child slept under the net the night before the survey. There is a need to reinforce education on transmission and ownership of ITNs especially among caregivers in unplanned, poorly drained communities.