Utilization of insecticide treated nets in households with children under five years of age in Northern division, Mbale district, Uganda
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Date
2018-08
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Economics and Management
Abstract
Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and it mostly affects pregnant women and children under five years of age. It is among the leading cause of deaths in the under-fives. This study therefore investigated the intra-household factors a monger care takers that influence use of ITNs by under-fives in northern sub-county Mbale municipality in Uganda, in order to find answers to the following objectives: To establish the respondents’ knowledge, attitude, perception and beliefs towards the use of ITNs among the under-fives
To establish the respondents’ knowledge about Malaria and ITNs and to establish the relationship between intra-household factors and ITN utilization among respondents with children under five years of age.
Across section study was conducted in order to get a quick picture of the factors affecting ITN utilization in the under-fives in Northern sub-county. The study sampled 248 households from a targeted population of 700 households. Data was collected from 164 respondents using a structured questionnaire and interview guides. The interview guide was divided into Social-demographic characteristics, intra-household factors and affordability.
The findings of the study revealed a low level of ITN utilization among the under-fives with average mean=2.6, there was a medium level of intra-household factors affecting ITN utilization among the under-fives with (General mean=3.25).In reference to number of ITN versus Family size, the least number of ITN to be owned was 1 and the highest was 8 with majority 55(33.5%) of the respondents owning at least one net, 43(26.2%) of the respondents had owned two ITNs and just 1(0.6%) of the respondents had gotten 7 and 8 ITNs.44(26.83%) had 5below children of less than five, 81(49.39%) had between 5-10 children and 39(23.78%) had over 10 children.
The regression results showed that knowledge, beliefs, attitude and perception of care takers significantly affected use of ITNs among the under-fives with (F-value 5.188> P-value0.00 1) hence rejecting the null hypothesis.
The study concludes that these intra-household factors hinder use of ITNs by children under five years and therefore presence of an ITN in a household may not guarantee utilization.
The study recommends that efforts be made to increase awareness on the importance of ensuring children less than five years sleep under an ITN if reduction in morbidity and mortality in this age group is to be reduced.
Description
A Research Report Submitted to the College of Economics and Management in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics of Kampala International University
Keywords
Insecticide treated nets, Households, Children, Mbale district, Uganda