title: An investigation of the use of rectangular insecticide-treated nets for malaria control in Chipinge District, Zimbabwe: a descriptive study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2007, Zimbabwe government distributed rectangular insecticide treated nets in Chipinge District, covering 100% of population at risk. However, malaria morbidity continued increasing from 492/1000 (49.2%) in 2007 to 667/1000 (66.7%) in 2008. A study was conducted in Chipinge District in May 2009 to investigate the use of rectangular insecticide treated nets and factors affecting their use in malaria prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative methods were triangulated to assess utilisation of rectangular insecticide treated nets. Five interviewers administered 380 questionnaires to senior matriarchs selected from five wards, with 19,667 sampling frame (19,667/380 = 52). Five focus group discussions were conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, while qualitative data were summarised into thematic areas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately, 95% of respondents knew that malaria was caused by mosquito bites. Perception of nets as malaria preventative measure was high (88%). Utilization of rectangular insecticide treated nets was low (33%) with 81% of those not using them expressed difficulty procedures of mounting them and unavailability of related accessories as main reasons. People preferred conical insecticide treated nets (84%) compared to rectangular insecticide treated nets (15%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the Chipinge people accepted insecticide treated nets for malaria prevention, procedure of mounting rectangular insecticide treated nets and accessing related accessories prevented consistent use.In order for insecticide treated net project to have impact on malaria prevention, priority should be given to conical shape or rectangular shape with adequate accessories like wire nails and strings or twine.
authors: Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Environmental Health Private Bag X680 Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
authors: Shadreck
authors: S
authors: Sande
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Jagals
authors: Bartholomew
authors: B
authors: Mupeta
authors: Addmore
authors: A
authors: Chadambuka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Insecticide treated nets; mounting; net use; rectangular insecticide treated nets; senior matriarchs; triangulation