Knowledge of mosquito borne infections and prevalence of the use of insecticide-treated nets in a semi urban population
1
Department Of Community Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology, Ògbomoso, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3568
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Mosquito-borne infections, particularly malaria, remain a major public health burden in low- and middle-income countries, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.^1 Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a cost-effective preventive intervention; however, gaps between knowledge and utilisation persist, undermining malaria control efforts.^2,3 This study assessed knowledge of mosquito-borne infections, prevalence of ITN utilisation, and socio-economic and contextual factors influencing ITN use among residents in a semi-urban population.
METHODS:
A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 residents aged 15 years and above using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed at a 5% level of significance.
RESULTS:
Overall knowledge of mosquito-borne infections was high (89.7%); however, regular ITN utilisation was moderate (54.0%), indicating a substantial knowledge–practice gap.^4 Key facilitators of ITN use included free net distribution, health worker education, community-based campaigns, and local leadership support.^4,5 Major barriers were heat and discomfort, perceived health concerns, unpleasant odour, difficulty in hanging nets, and insufficient household net availability.^3 Socio-demographic factors such as education level, occupation, ethnicity, and marital status were significantly associated with knowledge and ITN utilisation.^3 Notably, higher knowledge did not consistently translate into increased ITN use, suggesting the influence of structural and environmental constraints.^3 Occupation emerged as a significant predictor of both knowledge and utilisation, reflecting underlying socio-economic inequities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite high knowledge of mosquito-borne infections, ITN utilisation remains suboptimal due to practical, environmental, and socio-economic barriers.^2,4 Addressing these inequities through context-responsive health education, improved housing-adapted ITN designs, and sustained community-based distribution strategies is essential for improving malaria prevention outcomes.^2 Findings highlight the need for equity-focused interventions to bridge the gap between knowledge and effective preventive practice in similar low-resource settings.
Mosquito-borne infections, particularly malaria, remain a major public health burden in low- and middle-income countries, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.^1 Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a cost-effective preventive intervention; however, gaps between knowledge and utilisation persist, undermining malaria control efforts.^2,3 This study assessed knowledge of mosquito-borne infections, prevalence of ITN utilisation, and socio-economic and contextual factors influencing ITN use among residents in a semi-urban population.
METHODS:
A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 residents aged 15 years and above using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed at a 5% level of significance.
RESULTS:
Overall knowledge of mosquito-borne infections was high (89.7%); however, regular ITN utilisation was moderate (54.0%), indicating a substantial knowledge–practice gap.^4 Key facilitators of ITN use included free net distribution, health worker education, community-based campaigns, and local leadership support.^4,5 Major barriers were heat and discomfort, perceived health concerns, unpleasant odour, difficulty in hanging nets, and insufficient household net availability.^3 Socio-demographic factors such as education level, occupation, ethnicity, and marital status were significantly associated with knowledge and ITN utilisation.^3 Notably, higher knowledge did not consistently translate into increased ITN use, suggesting the influence of structural and environmental constraints.^3 Occupation emerged as a significant predictor of both knowledge and utilisation, reflecting underlying socio-economic inequities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite high knowledge of mosquito-borne infections, ITN utilisation remains suboptimal due to practical, environmental, and socio-economic barriers.^2,4 Addressing these inequities through context-responsive health education, improved housing-adapted ITN designs, and sustained community-based distribution strategies is essential for improving malaria prevention outcomes.^2 Findings highlight the need for equity-focused interventions to bridge the gap between knowledge and effective preventive practice in similar low-resource settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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