| Abstract
|
:
|
This cross sectional research study sought to uncover the most important determinants of the use of the insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets (ITNs) distributed by charitable organizations across different cultural groups in Nigeria. In addition, Nigerians' perception of whether net color has an impact on compliance and preference for net colors other than white were also assessed. Currently, there is little research on how to increase the effective use of mosquito nets distributed by charitable organizations across different cultural groups in Nigeria. Particularly, there is no known research in Nigeria on the effect the colors of these ITNs have on the compliance to its daily use across different cultural groups. This study reviewed the etiology of malaria, methods of prevention with focus being on the compliance to the use of ITNs as a method of prevention in the cities of Ilorin, Kwara state, Zaria in Kaduna state and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria. The relationship between household possession and use of these mosquito bed nets in Ilorin, Kwara state, Zaria in Kaduna states and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria were examined. A representative sample of 240 Nigerians participated in the study. The researcher hypothesized that there is no difference in the effect the current white ITNs distributed by charitable organizations across different cultural groups in Nigeria, have on the use of these mosquito bed nets and on the daily compliance. Regression techniques were employed to specifically determine which of the hypothesized predictors, namely participants' demographic characteristics; knowledge of, experience with, and relevant beliefs about malaria; as well as malaria prevention behaviors explains the most variance in mosquito net use and net color preference. Regression techniques were also used to assess the most important determinants of net use and color preference. The most important determinants of the frequency of mosquito net use in Nigeria include the following: education level; knowledge of malaria symptoms; and beliefs that mosquito nets work, are durable, and are not a waste of time or money. Educational differences in knowledge of malaria symptoms were also observed. Approximately 60% of the respondents explicitly mentioned that net color does make a difference It was concluded that net color does matter because: there was a clear preference first for the white mosquito net and then the sky blue net. Reasons for this preference could be explained by the positive meaning Nigerians place on these two colors. The study found that there were religious, occupational, gender, and age differences in preference for these two colors. The findings of this study were generally consistent with the literature reviewed.
|