Communal prevalence of malaria parasite and evaluation of Long Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets (LLINs) for malaria control in Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigates the prevalence of malaria and evaluates Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) utilization for malaria control in Ikenne LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five major communities in Ikenne Local Government Area (LGA) namely: Ilisan, Ikenne, Iperu, Ogere and Irolu. Fifty (50) households were systematically selected for assessment in each of the communities. Household heads were interviewed on possession and all members of a household were interviewed on individual usage of LLINs. Each household was geo-referenced using hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). Finger prick blood samples were collected from consenting members of each household and examined for malaria parasite using standard methods. Chi-square and regression analysis was used to identify association between LLINs usage and Plasmodium spp infection. A total of 301 household members were screened for malaria parasites, 150 (49.8%) were positive with infection significantly higher in males 92 (63.0%) when compared to females 58 (37.4%) (p<0.05). Of the 250 (100%) households visited during the study, 198 (79.2%) were in possession of at least one LLIN, while only 112 (56.6%) currently sleeping under nets. LLINs coverage by communities was not statistically different (p>0.05) across the communities surveyed. Only 107 (39.1%) of respondents that have LLIN slept under the net the night preceding the survey. Respondents who do not sleep under LLINs the night preceding the survey are more than ten times at risk of Plasmodium infections compared to those who slept under LLIN (OR=11, 95% CI = 5.53-22.3, p=0.000).This study shows the need for an effective strategy to increase adoption and effective usage of LLINs given to households. This is essential to ensure the targeted control of malaria using this intervention tool is achieved.Keywords: LLINs; malaria control; GPS