Insecticidal net distribution channel that is rural women-friendly, in abia south, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Government channel for distributing free insecticidal nets stop at the health centers. About 70% of rural women who do not access this health facility fail to collect the free nets. Alternative channel for reaching these women is hereby advocated.

Materials and Methods: An interventional study was carried out in eight randomly selected villages of Abia South. Experimental and control groups were assigned four villages each. Sample size for each group was 200 households systematically selected. Questionnaire and interview guide were instruments for data collection. Data were analyzed quantitatively.  Chi-square statistic was used in testing for statistical significance.

Results: Before intervention, ownership and utilization of treated nets in
experimental group were 36.5% and 28.8%, respectively, while in the control group, it was 38% and 30.0%, respectively. Ownership and  utilization of treated nets in experimental group increased by 54.5% and 46.5%, respectively, after intervention. In the control group, where there were no interventional activities carried out, ownership and utilization of treated nets showed no significant increase.

Conclusion: Health promotion intervention, fixed-install mental  payment-basis for net cost, and home-based net distribution channel scaled up net ownership and utilization by 54.5% and 46.5%, respectively, in the study area.

Key words: Abia South, Net distribution channel, Nigeria, Rural women-friendly