Households with young children and use of freely distributed bednets in rural Madagascar

Paul J. Krezanoski, Alison B. Comfort, Alexander C. Tsai, David R. Bangsberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Malaria infections are the leading cause of death for children in Madagascar. Insecticide-treated bednets offer effective prevention, but it is unclear how well free bednet distribution programs reach young children. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a free bednet distribution program in Madagascar from 2007-2008. Interviews were performed at baseline and 6 months. Principal components analysis was used to construct a wealth and malaria knowledge index. Coverage efficiency was calculated as coverage of children per bednet owned. Univariable and multivariable regressions were used to determine predictors of bednet use. Results: Bednet use, among the 560 households in the study, increased from 6 to 91% after 6 months. Coverage efficiency increased from 1.29 to 1.56 children covered per bednet owned. In multivariable analysis, having a child under 5 years of age was the only variable associated with bednet use (OR 9.10; p=0.001), yielding a 99% likelihood of using a bednet (95% CI 96.4 to 99.9%) versus 82% (95% CI 72.2 to 88.4%) in households without young children. Conclusion: This free bednet distribution program achieved high levels of adherence after 6 months. Household presence of children was associated with bednet use, but not household income or education, suggesting that distribution to priority groups may help overcome traditional barriers to adoption in some settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberiht033
Pages (from-to)29-34
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Health
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adherence
  • Insecticide-treated bednets
  • Madagascar
  • Malaria

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Households with young children and use of freely distributed bednets in rural Madagascar'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this