Caregivers' vector control methods and their impact on malaria outcome in under-five presenting in tertiary health institution in Nigeria.
Integrated vector control especially use of insecticide-treated bed nets have been reported as effective malaria preventive strategies. This study aimed at documenting factors that influence regular use of insecticide-treated nets in under-fives and impact of vector control methods on malaria outcome (severe malaria prevalence and mortality) in under-fives presenting in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.



Cross-sectional study carried out from June 2012 and July 2013. Data was obtained by researcher-administered questionnaire and malaria was confirmed in each child by microscopy.



329 caregiver (31.2 ± 6.0 years) /child (20.7 ± 14.0 months) pair were recruited. Netting of doors/windows (80.0%) was the most practiced vector control method. 177 (53.8%) caregivers possessed insecticide-treated bed nets, and only a quarter of their under-5s regularly sleep in these nets. Children from lower social class statistically significantly sleep in the nets (p = 0.03), however, presence of 2 or more nets in a household independently predicted its regular use for the under-5s (β = 1.09, OR = 3, p = 0.02). Prevalence of severe malaria was 36.2% and mortality was 52 per 1000. Combination of regular use of insecticide treated nets, environmental sanitation, indoor insecticide spray and netting of household doors/windows significantly predicted low prevalence of severe malaria compared to each of the malaria vector control methods used singly by the caregivers (β = 1.66, OR =5.0, p = 0.04).



Integrated vector control remains the most effective method of malaria vector control at the community.
Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
D U
DU
Nwaneri
Department of Child Health, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
O A
OA
Oladipo
Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
A E
AE
Sadoh
Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
M O
MO
Ibadin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D009549:Nigeria; D055815:Young Adult
Bed-nets; Insecticide-treated; Malaria; Mortality; Strategy; Vector