Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the most widely used malaria prevention and control
intervention in Africa. However, their effectiveness may vary depending on their local geographic coverage,
ownership and use at household level. This study aimed at assessing LLINs ownership and use following mass
distribution campaign in western Kenya.
METHODS : A cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2017. A total of 160 households were randomly
selected from 16 villages. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on households’ knowledge on
malaria, LLINs ownership, utilization and their perceived benefits. Data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package
for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 for windows. Variables were presented as proportions and associations
between variables tested using Pearson’s chi-square test.
RESULTS : Malaria was reported to be the most frequently occurring disease (87.5%) in the area. Children under 5
years of age were reported to be at higher risks of malaria infection (28.6%). Around 31% of the respondents
reported to have at least one member of the household sick with malaria a week before the interview. Commonly
cited signs and symptoms of malaria were; fever (24.1%), headache (17.7%), vomiting (14.5%) feeling cold (12.6%)
and loss of appetite (10%). There were 382 reported LLINs among 753 occupants in the 160 households surveyed.
The average LLIN ownership was 2.4 nets per household and 1.97 persons per LLIN. Among the surveyed
households, 96.9% owned at least one LLIN and 64.1% owned at least one LLIN for every two people. Among
those who owned LLINs, 98.1% reported using them the previous night. Ownership per household ranged from 0
to 6 with a mean of 2.39. More than three quarter of the nets were acquired through free mass distribution
campaigns and 80% were acquired less than 6 months prior to the survey.
CONCLUSION : Despite high net coverage and use, a number of households experienced malaria episodes in the
study area. There is need to investigate the likelihood of outdoor malaria transmission and assess the physical
integrity of the existing LLINs and their insecticidal effectiveness in protecting household members against malaria.
