TITLE:
Evaluation of the Use of Long-Lasting Impregnated Mosquito Nets (LLINs) in the Health District of Dimbokro (Center of Côte d’Ivoire)
AUTHORS:
Ellélé Aimé Marius Yapi, Tanoh Amany Serge Raymond N’krumah, Bi Yourou Guillaume Zamina, Martial Bama, Assikohon Pulchérie Gouzilé, Amoin Nadège Abo, Issaka Tiembre
KEYWORDS:
Malaria, LLINs, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Dimbokro, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.12 No.3,
March
13,
2024
ABSTRACT: The Dimbokro health district has one of the highest incidences of malaria in Côte d’Ivoire, despite numerous campaigns to distribute Long-Acting Impregnated Mosquito Nets (LLINs). Given this observation, what are the population’s attitudes towards LLINs that could explain the high endemicity of malaria in Dimbokro? The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of people in the health area of Nofou, one of the villages in the Dimbokro health district where malaria is most prevalent, with a view to strengthening malaria control strategies. A collection of historical health data (malaria cases and LLIN usage rates) and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out from July 20 to August 03, 2022 in 400 households selected by systematic random sampling. Data were entered using Epi Info 7 and multivariate statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 22 software. In the Dimbokro health district, the rate of LLIN use was negatively correlated (r = -0.771) with malaria incidence over the six years of historical data collection. Households had an average of 53% good knowledge, 68.6% good practices and 28.4% good attitudes towards LLINs. The study also revealed that the main factors explaining LLIN use in the Nofou health area are mosquito bite (ORa = 5.29 (1.12 - 25.04)), age of household members (ORa = 1.07 (1.01 - 1.14)) and marital status (ORa = 8.45 (1.70 - 45.02)). Awareness-raising on the use of LLINs should be intensified in the Dimbokro health district. Other control strategies, such as vector control and environmental sanitation, should be considered to combat malaria.