Replacement of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets in Malarious Kebeles of Gida Ayana District, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

The main objective of the study was to determine the sustainability of owning and utilization of long lasting insecticide treated nets in malarious kebeles of Gida Ayana District. A community-based cross-sectional study design was used to investigate the replacement and utilization of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) in four malarious kebeles of Gida Ayana District. The study was conducted in June, 2013 on randomly sampled 420 households. Data were collected using structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and presences of LLINs in sleeping areas were checked. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 for windows software. Logistic regression analysis was used for determining LLINS ownership and socio-demographic characteristics. P values of less or equal to 0.05 were considered significant. Of the 420 households included in the study, 69.3% possessed one or more LLINs which are owned primary (for the first time) or replaced (substituting the old bed nets after three years of use). There was no significant association between socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and LLINs owing (P >0.05). Attrition rate of households in LLINs owing was 101(24 %). Of the 291 households which possessed one or more insecticides, 60.8% have replaced the LLINs after three years of use. 57.8% of respondents knew as LLINs need replacement after 3 years of use. 81.3 and 19.7 % of respondent prefer free supply and cost subsidize supply of LLINs for sustainable owing respectively. Of 114 households who have possessed LLINs primarily, 70.2 % have used the LLINs for more than 3 years. Utilization rate of LLINs available in the households the night prior to the study was 64.9 % and in 69.75 % of households LLINs were hanged in sleeping areas. Proportion of pregnant women and under five children slept under LLINs the night preceding the study was 43.1 and 48.4 % respectively. Old, worn out LLINs have been replaced after three years of use to sustain malaria control in the study area. Utilization of LLINs among malaria risk group was low. Every household in malarious kebeles should be included during substituting LLINs. Regular monitoring of household is required from health extension workers to scale-up and sustain utilization of LLINs in malaria control.Keywords: Long Lasting Insecticide; Treated Nets; Replacement; Utilization; Malaria contro