Objective:To ascertain the socio-cultural factors influencing the rate of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets(ITNs) in a malaria endemic city of Makurdi,north central Nigeria. Methods:The study was cross-secti...Objective:To ascertain the socio-cultural factors influencing the rate of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets(ITNs) in a malaria endemic city of Makurdi,north central Nigeria. Methods:The study was cross-sectional in nature using systematic sampling method to identify households.Both quantitative and qualitative data was generated from adult women using structured and semi structured questionnaires,and focused group discussions(FGDs) to obtain information on rate and patterns of utilization of ITNs.Information such as age,educational level, marital status,awareness or otherwise of the existence of malaria,and factors influencing rate of ownership and utilization of ITNs were obtained.FGDs were used to obtain qualitative information on rate of utilization of ITNs not captured in the questionnaires.Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software.Results:Among the respondents interviewed,97.0% (2 013/2 075) were aware of existence of malaria and 87.0% of these(1 751/2 013) would associate it with mosquitoes.The rate of ownership of any bed net,ITNs and untreated bed nets(UTNs) was 25.1% ,17.0% and 8.3% ,respectively.Utilization of ITNs among children was 30.0% (112/373) and UTNs 12.9% (48/373).Positive contributors to ITNs utilization were literacy,enhanced economy, experience of marriage,and being gainfully employed(P【0.05);while negative contributors were ignorance,poverty and some cultural beliefs and values.Conclusions:A more synchronized advocacy should be carried out on the potential benefits of ITNs utilization and sustained.Also ITNs should be made available to the people of the community at minimal or no cost.展开更多
Objective:To ascertain the role of traditional healers in malaria treatment and its impact on control of the disease.Methods:The study was cross-sectional in nature.Test-run structured and semi-structured questionnair...Objective:To ascertain the role of traditional healers in malaria treatment and its impact on control of the disease.Methods:The study was cross-sectional in nature.Test-run structured and semi-structured questionnaires were either interviewer or self administered to adult women aged 18 years old and above.House holds were selected using systematic random sampling methods.Information such as age,educational level,marital status,occupation and methods of malaria treatment were obtained.Focused group discussions about beliefs and perceptions on utilization of traditional healers and in depth discussions on treatment and control of malaria were also carried out.Results:Of the 2 075 respondents studied,49.7%(n=1 031) utilized traditional healers for treatment of malaria,including 16.7%(n=172) utilizing traditional healers strictly while 83.3%(n=859) combining it with other treatment methods such as hospital/clinic, pharmacy/chemist shop,herbs or spiritual healing.The major contributors to utilization of traditional healers were:illiteracy and ignorance,poverty,unemployment/underemployment and slow pace of the comprehensive package implementation of the "roll back malaria"(RBM) programme initiate in the community.Conclusions:Health education should be intensified while adequate facilities put in place to commence home management of malaria and probable free distribution of the artemisinin-based combination therapy(ACT).展开更多
文摘Objective:To ascertain the socio-cultural factors influencing the rate of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets(ITNs) in a malaria endemic city of Makurdi,north central Nigeria. Methods:The study was cross-sectional in nature using systematic sampling method to identify households.Both quantitative and qualitative data was generated from adult women using structured and semi structured questionnaires,and focused group discussions(FGDs) to obtain information on rate and patterns of utilization of ITNs.Information such as age,educational level, marital status,awareness or otherwise of the existence of malaria,and factors influencing rate of ownership and utilization of ITNs were obtained.FGDs were used to obtain qualitative information on rate of utilization of ITNs not captured in the questionnaires.Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software.Results:Among the respondents interviewed,97.0% (2 013/2 075) were aware of existence of malaria and 87.0% of these(1 751/2 013) would associate it with mosquitoes.The rate of ownership of any bed net,ITNs and untreated bed nets(UTNs) was 25.1% ,17.0% and 8.3% ,respectively.Utilization of ITNs among children was 30.0% (112/373) and UTNs 12.9% (48/373).Positive contributors to ITNs utilization were literacy,enhanced economy, experience of marriage,and being gainfully employed(P【0.05);while negative contributors were ignorance,poverty and some cultural beliefs and values.Conclusions:A more synchronized advocacy should be carried out on the potential benefits of ITNs utilization and sustained.Also ITNs should be made available to the people of the community at minimal or no cost.
文摘Objective:To ascertain the role of traditional healers in malaria treatment and its impact on control of the disease.Methods:The study was cross-sectional in nature.Test-run structured and semi-structured questionnaires were either interviewer or self administered to adult women aged 18 years old and above.House holds were selected using systematic random sampling methods.Information such as age,educational level,marital status,occupation and methods of malaria treatment were obtained.Focused group discussions about beliefs and perceptions on utilization of traditional healers and in depth discussions on treatment and control of malaria were also carried out.Results:Of the 2 075 respondents studied,49.7%(n=1 031) utilized traditional healers for treatment of malaria,including 16.7%(n=172) utilizing traditional healers strictly while 83.3%(n=859) combining it with other treatment methods such as hospital/clinic, pharmacy/chemist shop,herbs or spiritual healing.The major contributors to utilization of traditional healers were:illiteracy and ignorance,poverty,unemployment/underemployment and slow pace of the comprehensive package implementation of the "roll back malaria"(RBM) programme initiate in the community.Conclusions:Health education should be intensified while adequate facilities put in place to commence home management of malaria and probable free distribution of the artemisinin-based combination therapy(ACT).
