Browsing by Author "Odipo, Jacob Owiti"

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    Household and Community - Based Factors Associated with Universal Coverage of Insecticide - Treated Nets (ITNs). Results from a Cross - Sectional Malaria Survey in Vihiga County, Kenya
    (IJSR, 2024-09) Odipo, Jacob Owiti; Otieno, George; Yoos, Aliso; Wanjau, Grace
    Background: Insecticide - treated nets (ITNs) are an essential tool for preventing the spread of malaria. An adequate number of ITNs in households increases the probability of its use. Unfortunately, it's still unclear what factors prevent households from achieving universal coverage of ITNs despite the free mass net distribution every three years. This paper explored the household and community - based factors associated with universal ITN coverage in Vihiga County, Kenya. Methods: A cross - sectional survey was conducted among households in Vihiga County. Households were enrolled through multistage sampling and data was collected through structured questionnaire. Universal coverage was defined as the proportion of households with at least one ITN for every two people. Bivariable analysis was conducted using the chi - square test while determinants of universal coverage of ITNs and usage were assessed using multivariable logistic regression at a statistical significance of P - value<0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results: The study revealed that 262 (59.55%) had achieved universal coverage. Factors associated with universal coverage included household head marital status (P=0.04), ease in setting up the ITN (P=0.011). Household head married/ living with their partners also had a three times better likelihood of ITNs use (OR=3.46.95%CI= 1.47 - 8.17). Education level was not significant in the attainment of universal net coverage. Conclusion: Only 59.55% of households had attained universal ITN coverage against the global target of at least 80%. Free mass net campaigns should be encouraged with more focus on single household heads or those staying alone. Additionally, a replacement framework of destroyed ITNs should be considered in order to maintain universal ITN coverage
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    Household-Based Predictors of Universal Insecticide-Treated Net Coverage among Residents in Vihiga County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-05) Odipo, Jacob Owiti
    Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) are essential for controlling malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that achieving universal ITN coverage is essential for effective malaria control in endemic regions. Universal ITN coverage, defined as at least one effective ITN per two persons, is influenced primarily by the availability of ITNs in households. Despite regular free ITN mass distribution every three years by the government and health partners, barriers to universal ITN coverage persist. The broad objective of this study was to investigate household-based predictors of the universal ITN coverage among household heads in Vihiga County, Kenya-a malaria-endemic region where the disease burden remains high, with a prevalence of 9.2% compared to the national average of 6%. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 304 household heads selected through multistage sampling in Vihiga County. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews (KIIs). Analysis included chi-square tests to compare proportions and multivariable logistic regression to assess predictors of universal ITN coverage, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results indicated that 83.6% of households achieved universal ITN coverage, with over 81% of coverage attributed to the recent mass ITN distributions, highlighting the effectiveness of these campaigns. The study revealed significant household-based predictors of coverage included marital status (p=0.005), age (p=0.014), registration for free nets (p=0.001), frequency of the household visits by community health promoters (p=0.001), and family size (p=0.001). Education level, income sources, and income levels did not significantly impact universal ITN coverage. The study recommends to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the county government of Vihiga continued free mass ITN distributions, supplemented by other community-based channels to replace damaged ITNs between campaigns. Targeted strategies focusing on significant predictors-marital status, registration status, age, and family size are advised to ensure equitable ITN access. Additionally, as over 37% of households reported re-purposing worn-out ITNs, further research is recommended to assess the health effects of the re-purposed ITNs.