Anti-Malarial Drug and Mosquito Net Use Pattern in Pawe Special Woreda: A Community Based Survey
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Malaria is a major public health problem and the leading communicable disease in
Ethiopia. Interruption of contact between humans and mosquitoes through the use of insecticidetreated
bed nets (ITNs) is a promising approach to protect people from malaria infection.
Treatment failures and mortality due to malaria has risen in recent years, probably due to
increasing resistance to anti-malarial medicines. Improper drug storage and rampant selfmedication
are some of the factors that may contribute to an increase in the development of drug
resistance by malaria parasites towards anti-malarials.
Study objective: To assess the utilization pattern of anti-malarial drugs, and mosquito net
coverage in Pawe special Woreda, Beneshangul-Gumuz National Regional State.
Methodology: The study was conducted in Pawe Special Woreda, Beneshangul-Gumuz
Regional State between August and September 2008. Both quantitative and qualitative methods
were employed in the data collection. Qualitative methods employed include focus group
discussions and key-informant interviews. The quantitative method used is a community based
cross-sectional household survey. The study utilized a trained interviewer administered
questionnaire for data collection. Data was collected primarily from mothers. Quantitative data
was entered using EPI-Info software Version 6.04 and analyzed by SPSS version 11 statistical
packages. Qualitative data were analysed through thematic content analysis in an attempt to
answer key questions of the study.
Results: Perceived malaria prevalence was found to be 6.1 %. Sixty nine, (38.8%) of those with
reported malaria/symptom complexes in the last two weeks preceding the interview date se lfmedicated
themselves with anti-malarials. Households with a family size of less than or equal to
5 persons (OR=0.47, CI=0.25, 0.90, P=0.02) were less likely to self-care with anti-malarials than
those with a family size of more than 5 persons.
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Keywords
Anti-Malarial Drug