Coverage and use of insecticide-treated bed nets in households with children aged under five years in Liberia
Abstract
皇冠体育app objectives of this study was to examine the coverage and use of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs), factors associated with non-use and the characteristics and conditions of bed nets in households with children aged over 5 years old in Liberia. 皇冠体育app design was a cross-sectional study involving interviews with mothers and visual inspection of LLINs. Of 663 households visited, 492 (74%) had no LLIN and 135 (20%) had one LLIN. Of 171 households with LLINs, these were consistently used by 73 (43%) children. 皇冠体育app main reasons for inconsistent use included LLINs being old or damaged, and LLINs generating too much heat for 20鈥�30% of children. Visual inspection of LLINs in 130 households showed that 98% of LLINs were white, 20% were not hung above the child's sleeping place, 30% had holes, 84% were double-bed sized and 82% had been washed in the previous 6 months. It was concluded that sespite reports of 100% LLIN coverage in St John's District, this study showed that only a quarter of households had an LLIN, over half of the children used LLINs inconsistently and the LLINs had several deficiencies. More surveys should be conducted to determine the true coverage of LLINs in Liberia, and measures must be taken to improve the use of LLINs.
Citation
Bawo, L. L.; Harries, A.D.; Reid, T.; Massaquoi, M.; Jallah-Macauley, R.; Jones, J. J.; Wesseh, C. S.; Enders, J.; Hinneh, L. Coverage and use of insecticide-treated bed nets in households with children aged under five years in Liberia. Public Health Action (2012) 2 (4) 112-116.