MOSQUITO NET UTILIZATION AMONG CHILDREN (5–15 YEARS): DETERMINANTS FROM BUSIA COUNTY, KENYA

Background: Malaria remains the leading cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, majorly affecting pregnant women and children below five years. In Kenya, malaria kills an approximately 10,000 people annually. This burden is greatest in the lake endemic region, where Busia County is located. The World Health Organization and global initiatives like the roll back malaria and, the President’s Malaria Initiative recommend use of insecticide-treated nets and active case management of malaria among others, as basic and most affordable methods of preventing malaria in children. Several studies have looked at socio-economic and cultural factors affecting uptake of malaria prevention interventions among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, but little has been done on determinants of net use among children (5-15years) and its effects on malaria prevalence in Busia County this age group had the highest malaria prevalence1. This study investigated determinants of net use among children (5-15 years) and the prevalence of malaria in the same group. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study that targeted 111,311 children under 15years in Busia County. A sample size of 302 respondents was proportionately selected at ward level in the 2 sub counties, 130 and 172 from Samia and Matayos respectively, in each sub county, simple random sampling was used to select respondents. Data on participant demographics, mosquito net ownership was collected using questionnaires and blood sample for Malaria microscopy and mRDT was be taken to determine prevalence and species identification among the respondents. Results: Malaria prevalence among (5-15) year-olds in Samia and Matayos sub-Counties was (35%) (Microscopy 34.6%, mRDT 35%). The predominant species was p. falciparum (76%). P. malariae was (18%) P. ovale (1%), p. falciparum with p. malariae (4%), and p. falciparum with p. ovale (1%). P. ovale was the least dominant (1%). Net ownership and use on the night prior to the survey were high (90%) and (93%) respectively. Of those who didn’t use nets, (32%) said they were torn, (23%) lacked nets, (14%) felt nets were expensive to buy, (14%) feared bedbugs, (12%) reported being tired of tying the net daily due to lack of fixed sleeping spaces, while (5%) didn’t know how to hang nets