Factors Influencing Use of Malaria Control Methods among the Residents of Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County

Abstract

Despite availability of effective malaria control methods, malaria still affects millions of people worldwide each year. The recent estimates show that about 24 million Kenyans are at risk of infection each year, with pregnant women and children below five years being the most affected. In order to develop strategies to promote/improve use of malaria control methods, it is necessary to determine factors that limit their use. The objective of the study was to determine factors influencing use of various malaria control methods among the residents of Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County. The study was a cross-sectional one involving residents of Nyando. The study enrolled 402 study participants. A questionnaire was administered to consenting respondents to determine social demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and utilization of malaria control methods. Focus group discussion with some of the study participants was held. Quantitative data from the questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS while the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results showed that all the study participants were aware of Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and owned and used them. Environmental management (EM) was known by 96.3% of the respondents and practiced by 95.5% of them. Larviciding was known by 22.9% of the respondents and had been practiced by 7.5% of them. Majority of the respondents perceived ITNs to be important in malaria control while larviciding was perceived to be not important in malaria control. Respondents who were married were more likely to use larvicides, mosquito repellents and window and door screens than those who were not married. Respondents with high level of education were more likely to use of larvicides, mosquito repellents and window and door screens than those with low level of education. Respondents with high monthly income were more likely to use mosquito repellents and window and door screens than those with low monthly income. Knowledge of all the malaria control methods was associated their use. Positive perceptions towards malaria control methods were associated with their utilization. Social economic factors such as the type of structure of the respondents’ house was associated with use of larvicides, mosquito repellents and window and door screens while those who used water from boreholes were more likely to use larvicides and IRS than those who got theirs’ from other sources. They should be educated on the other malaria control methods like larviciding, mosquito repellents, EM, IRS and window and door screens. They should be educated on the way they are used and their importance in malaria control. All the malaria control methods should be made available in Nyando for free or at a subsidized price.