Use of community based malaria control measures (Mosquito nets and mosquito repellents) and selected factors associated with utilization of those measures by the community in divisional secretariat area Horowpothana.

Abstract

Ten GN divisions were selected using random sampling method and systematic sampling technique was used to select households for the study. This study revealed that in 52.2 percent of families that use nets, all the members of the family used nets. However 59.7 percent of all net users used the nets only when mosquito density was high. Among mosquito coil uses 73.3 percent used coils in the sleeping area.47.8 percent of coil users used coils through out the night. Nearly 73 percent of coil users used them only when mosquito density was high. Traditional smokes are used mainly in the early evenings (63.3 percent) and mostly inside the houses (64.8 percent). Repellent applications are used in the early evenings by 53.3 percent of the users. Vaporizers are used predominantly in the sleeping area. Non-use of impregnated mosquito nets was mainly due to unavailability of treatment facilities (50.6 percent). The use of mosquito nets and coils were low in the lowincome groups. The use of traditional smoke was common to all socio cultural groups. The non-use of repellent applications and vaporizers was mainly due to low income of the families and use of other inexpensive measures. Use of coils showed statistically significant association in relation to monthly income of the family and level of education of the chief householder. Socio-demographic factors like monthly income and presence of school children in the family revealed statistically significant association with utilization of repellent applications. Use of insecticide vaporizers in relation to monthly income of the family showed statistically significant association. Recommendation was made to improve the net treatment facilities in the area. There should be awareness programmes on use of inexpensive measures and the time duration and of use of each measure for complete protection from any of the method