UTILIZATION OF LONG LASTING INSECTICIDAL NETS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN BORICHA AND BILATE ZURIA WOREDA, SIDAMA REGION, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA: CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Sleeping under long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) is the most widely adopted preventive measure against malaria. LLINs represent a cost effective means of malaria prevention for at risk populations. Even though there have been studies indicating the utilization of LLIN use in Southern Ethiopia, there is no study conducted in Sidama region, Boricha and Bilate Zuria Woredas. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess utilization and associated factors of long lasting insecticidal nets in Boricha and Bilate Zuria Woredas, Sidama, Ethiopia in 2023. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in Boricha and Bilate Zuria woredas from February to March 2023. A total of 726 households were included in the study. A multi stage sampling technique was used to obtain the intended sample size. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire using face to face interview. The collected data were entered using Epi data version 3.1, and finally analyzed using SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regressions were computed to identify associated variables with the utilization of LLIN. Variables having P value < 0.25 in bi-variable analysis were candidate for multivariable analysis. Variables with P-Value <0.05 were declared as independent predictors of LLIN utilization at alpha 5%. Results: The proportion of people utilizing LLIN was 85.5% with 95% CI of (82.5% - 88.1%). Having one LLIN (AOR= 3.55; 95% CI of (1.92, 6.57) compared to two and more LLIN and family size of less than 5 persons (AOR= 0.60; 95% CI 0.37, 0.96) compared to 5 and more persons were independently associated with LLIN utilization. Conclusions: Percentage of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) that were used by anyone the night before the study was high compared to the national 62.3% according to malaria indicator survey of 2015. It was significantly associated with number of LLIN and family size.