Assessment of insecticide-treated bednet use among children and pregnant women across 15 countries using standardized national surveys.
Impact of insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) on preventing malaria may be minimized if they are not used by vulnerable populations. Among ITN-owning households from 15 standardized national surveys from 2003 to 2006, we identify factors associated with ITN use among children younger than 5 years of age and make comparisons of ITN use among children and pregnant women across countries. Within ITN-owning households, many children and pregnant women are still not using them. Between-country analysis with linear regression showed child ITN use increases as intra-household access to ITNs increases (P = 0.020, R2 = 0.404), after controlling for season and survey year. Results from within-country logistic regression analyses were consistent with between-country analysis showing intra-household access to ITNs is the strongest and most consistent determinant of use among children. The gaps in ITN use and possession will likely persist in the absence of achieving a ratio of no more than two people per ITN.
Eisele
Thomas P
TP
Department of International Health and Development, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. teisele@tulane.edu
Keating
Joseph
J
Littrell
Megan
M
Larsen
David
D
Macintyre
Kate
K
D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007306:Insecticides