title: Socio-demographic factors influencing the ownership and utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets among malaria vulnerable groups in the Buea Health District, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria remains a public health problem and the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) against it in vulnerable groups (pregnant women and children <5 years) is recommended in Cameroon. This study was aimed at assessing the socio-demographic factors influencing the ownership and utilization of ITNs among vulnerable groups in the Buea Health District (BHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional survey a questionnaire was administered in households with at least a child <5 years and/pregnant woman in five health areas of the BHD. Information on demographic variables, household composition, mosquito bed net (MBN) ownership, utilization and factors influencing ownership and utilization was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 443 respondents were recruited and 208 (47.0%) possessed at least one MBN (total = 275 MBNs) with a median of 1.33 nets. Of the 275 nets found in households, 89 (32%) were potent ITNs and others had never been retreated/treated. Purchase of MBNs from the market was associated with marital status (P = 0.010) and urban settlement (P = 0.045). The number of respondents who did not know where to retreat/treat ITNs was significantly higher (P = 0.005) in urban than rural dwellers. The proportion of rural respondents who had once taken their MBNs for re-treatment was significantly higher (P = 0.002) than that of urban dwellers. MBN utilisation was 69.7% (95% confidence interval; CI = .63.2-75.6%). A total of 83.4%, 13.8% and 3.4% used MBNs throughout the year, during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. MBN use in children under five was associated with being from an urban area (P = 0.01). MBN use in pregnant women was associated with living in block-louver houses than in block-pane houses (P = 0.047).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Utilization of MBN needs to be encouraged to match ownership while free distribution of ITNs to vulnerable groups needs to be continuous and consistent.
authors.forename: Helen Kuokuo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kimbi
authors.forename: Sarah Bi
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nkesa
authors.forename: Judith Lum
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ndamukong-Nyanga
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, SWR, Cameroon. sumbelei@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Irene Ule Ngole
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Sumbele
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Atashili
authors.forename: Mary Bi Suh
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Atanga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001513:Beds; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010067:Ownership; D012923:Social Class; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D055815:Young Adult