title: The use of antimalaria drugs and insecticide treated nets in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Roll Back Malaria Initiative (RBMI) is aimed at halving the malaria mortality in the year 2010 using prompt diagnosis and treatment of malaria and the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross sectional study of children aged 1 month to 14 years with confirmed malaria to assess the burden of malaria and to evaluate the home use of anti-malarial drugs and ITNs among children with malaria in Ile Ife, Nigeria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total of 1047 children seen, 190 (18.1%) had malaria and were surveyed. Complications were present among 74 (38.9%) children and a significantly higher of the under-fives had complications (p by Fisher's exact test = 0.0018). Chloroquine was administered to 63 (67.0%) children within the first 24 hours of the illness although only 25 (26.6%) children had the correct dosage. One hundred and fifty three (80.5%) were aware of the use of untreated bed nets in preventing malaria while 38 (20.0%) and 4 (2.1%) were aware of ITNs and used ITNs respectively. The awareness of ITNs increased with increasing maternal education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness of the parents about ITNs and their use are poor. Health education on appropriate antimalarial drug use and ITN use should be intensified. ITNs should be made more widely available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Senbanjo001@yahoo.com
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Senbanjo
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adeodu
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ogunlesi
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Anyabolu
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Okusanya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006701:Home Nursing; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009032:Mosquito Control; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D007306:Insecticides