UTILIZATION OF LONG-LASTING INSECTICIDE TREATED-NETS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MODEL AND NON-MODEL HOUSE HOLDES OF MALARIOUS KEBELES IN WONDO GENET DISTRICT, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Long-lasting insecticidal-treated nets have been widely used as an effective measure to prevent malaria.. Despite the long lasting insecticide distribution in the district, malaria morbidity increased in the study area. Objectives: To assess the utilization of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated nets and its associated factors among model and non-model households in Wondo Genet District, Sidama, Ethiopia Methods: The community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Wondo Genet District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia, from April 1 to 30, 2024. By a simple random method, 636 households that had at least one long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net were selected. Model and non-model households were taken from the registration books of health post. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and observation techniques using the KOBO tool. The SPSS was used to analyze the data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors with the utilization of long lasting insecticide-treated nets. Finally, the result was presented by using the crude odds ratio and the adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. In all analyses, variables with a p value less than 0.05 were used to declare a state of significance. Result: The finding indicated that overall utilization of long-lasting Insecticide Treated Nets was 50.8%( 95%CI=46.5-54.5) of which 61.3%(95%CI=55.6-66.8) were from model households and 40.3% (95%CI=34.8-46) from non-model households. Factors significantly associated with the utilization of long lasting insecticides were model householdss (AOR=2.751, 95%CI=1.931-3.918), the presence of under five children (AOR=1.795, 95%CI=1.271-2.535), washing of Long-Lasting Isecticide Treated Netts (AOR=2.378, 95%CI=1.675-3.374), health extension workers visit (AOR=1.453, 95%CI=1.020 2.070),positive attitude (AOR=1.745, 95%CI=1.221-2.494), and female (AOR=0.590, 95%CI=0.413 0.843) were significantly associated with utilization of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets.. Conclussion: Study showed that model Households were more utilize Long-Lasting Insecticide treated Nets than non-model households. However, overall utilization of Long lasting treated nets were below national malaria elimination targets.The result of this study indicated that, being model households, washing of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets, presence of underfive children, health extension workers visit, attitude, and sex were significant associated factors.