Socio-economic status is inversely related to bed net use in Gabon.
BACKGROUND
Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) range among the most effective measures of malaria prophylaxis, yet their implementation level in sub-Saharan Africa is still low. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of socio-economic factors on the use of bed nets by mothers in Gabon.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted completing pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaires exploring socioeconomic proxy measures with 397 mothers or guardians of young children. Respondents were grouped according to their socio-economic situation, using scores. The condition of the bed nets was evaluated during a home visit.


RESULTS
Socio-economic factors of wellbeing were negatively associated with bed net use, such as living in a stone house (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.48), running water in the house (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.92), shower/flush toilet in the house (OR 0.39/0.34, 95% CI 0.21-0.75/0.16-0.73), ownership of a freezer (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.96) and belonging to the highest group in the economic score (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15-0.67). In contrast, similar factors were positively associated with a good maintenance condition of the bed nets: higher monthly income (OR 5.64, 95% CI 2.41-13.19) and belonging to the highest group in the economic score (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.19 - 5.45).


CONCLUSIONS
Among the poorest families in Lambaréné the coverage with untreated nets (UTNs) is the highest, but the condition of these UTNs is the worst. To achieve a broad implementation of ITNs in Lambaréné, there is an urgent need for educational programmes as well as need-tailored marketing strategies for ITNs.
Goesch
Julia N
JN
Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon. goesch.julia@gmx.de
Schwarz
Norbert G
NG
Decker
Marie-Luise
ML
Oyakhirome
Sunny
S
Borchert
Lea B
LB
Kombila
Ulrich D
UD
Poetschke
Marc
M
Lell
Bertrand
B
Issifou
Saadou
S
Kremsner
Peter G
PG
Grobusch
Martin P
MP
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007872:Legal Guardians; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D009035:Mothers; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires