Institute of Development Studies
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Browsing Institute of Development Studies by Author "Mwaiswelo, Duncan Mariam"
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- Household’s knowledge, attitudes and practices on the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) in controlling Malaria: Cases of Itunge and Ngonga villages in Kyela District(St John's University of Tanzania, 2015-07-28) Mwaiswelo, Duncan MariamOver years, Malaria has been major health concern in developing countries particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) were introduced to help the control of Malaria. To increase net ownership among people in Tanzania, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) introduced mass free distribution and subsidized ITNs. However, data concerning use as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices on ITNs are scarce. The objective of this study therefore, was to assess households’ knowledge, attitude and practices of ITNs in Kyela District. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the household members on the use of ITNs, to investigate households’ practices in relation to the use of ITNs and also to assess factors influencing the adoption of the ITNs. The study adopted a cross sectional research design, and a total of 150 respondents were interviewed. Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and observation methods, while secondary data were collected from a review of various literatures obtained from libraries and through online sources. The collected data were analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analysed through simple descriptive statistics, and relationship between variables was tested with Chi square. The study revealed that utilization of ITNs was low compared to the ownership, whereby nearly 72 % of the respondents reported to own ITNs, but utilization of the nets was reported by only 67 %. The study revealed also that ITNs utilization was not satisfactory in the surveyed villages. And the study found the knowledge gap regarding the issues of ITNs, where more than half (60 %) reported to have inadequate knowledge about ITNs, and nearly 40% of the respondents perceived the ITNs with negative attitude. The study found that negative attitudes on ITNs were attributed to the existing myths and misconceptions. The common reported myths and misconception were like ITNs may cause Male Erectile Dysfunction (MED), and that ITNs have got side effects. Thus, integrating public and private sector in promoting awareness among the people will improve the community’s knowledge and attitudes on ITNs hence proper bed nets utilization.