Use of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets in the Prevention of Malaria among the Jaggery and Tea Workers in Kisii County, Kenya
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Date
2019-04
Authors
Omwono, Masta Ondara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Insecticide- treated nets (ITNs) if used correctly are the most powerful malaria control
intervention tools which have been recommended by most governments in the world.
Yet up to date, use is still very low in some places with only three percent of African
sleeping under an ITN and about 20 percent sleeping under any kind of net. Worse
still, malaria continues to be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among the
Jaggery and tea workers in both sugar cane and tea industry. The main aim of this
study was to assess the use of ITNs among the Jaggery and tea workers in the
prevention of malaria in the South Mugirango Sub County, Kisii County. The specific
objectives include; to establish the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, to
determine knowledge on the use of ITNs, to examine the perception of the ITNs use,
to establish the level of ITNs use and to identify the factors that influence the ITNs
use among the Jaggery and tea workers. The study adopted descriptive cross sectional
design whereby both cluster, proportionate, purposive and snowball sampling
approaches were used to get the sample size of 209 respondents from the Jaggery and
tea workers to be interviewed. Data was collected using questionnaires, key informant
interview and focused group discussions. Qualitative and quantitative data were
transcribed; coded and categorized to come up with the emerging themes. Data was
analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Chi-Square was used to determine the relationship
between variables. The results show low levels of ITNs use due to lack of knowledge
and low level of income as (52.2%) of respondents did not know the difference
between ITNs and non-treated nets. It was found that 56% of respondents were males
with 44% being females. Most of the Jaggery and tea workers were aged between 29-
39 years and 40-50 years with 41%and 26% respondents respectively. Education was
significantly related (p<0.001) with ITNs use whereby 82.4% of non- users were
found to have no education at all. Gender and occupation were significantly related
with (p<0.001) and (p<0.003) and the use of ITNs respectively. Economic factors
were also associated with ITNs use. The cost, accessibility and house structure were
related with (p<0.010) and (p<0.001) and the use of ITNs respectively. The study
found that weather was significantly related (p<0.001) with the use of ITNs among
the Jaggery and tea workers. The study concludes that demographic and socioeconomic
characteristics were statistically associated (p<0.001) with the use of ITNs.
Furthermore, knowledge, perception, level of use and factors such as accessibility and
affordability were statistically related and influence ITNs utilization among the
Jaggery and tea workers. This study recommends implementation of programs and
policy formulation to empower the Jaggery and tea workers in education and
economically through income generating activities to strengthen their resource base.
Study results are useful in addressing ITNs utilization among the Jaggery and tea
workers in the prevention of malaria in Kisii County, Kenya. It will also help the Kisii
County government to redirect more resources to malaria prevention. Therefore, this
study recommends the future research in the informal sector as well as low income
earners as they were found to be the most malaria vulnerable group.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Health(Epidemiology) in the School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University