NDLI: Assessing insecticide treated nets awareness at Njala University: case study of Njala and Towama Campuses, Sierra Leone

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Williams, Samuel Maxwell Tom Wadsworth, Richard Foday, Sahr George, Angella Magdalene Foday, Ibrahim K. Williams, Esther Marie Fefegula, George Mayeh Koker, Mohamed S. P.
Abstract	Background Malaria is a significant health challenge in Sierra Leone, particularly affecting pregnant women and children under five years of age. Despite efforts to reduce malaria cases, its prevalence remains high. The Sierra Leone National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (NMESP) 2021–2025 aims to reduce the malaria burden significantly through universal access to Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs). Objective This study evaluates the knowledge and utilization of ITNs for malaria control in the Moyamba and Bo districts of Sierra Leone (at the Njala University’s Main Campus in Moyamba District and Towama Location on Bo Campus in Bo District). It assesses awareness levels, factors associated with ITN use, and the effectiveness of current campaign strategies. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to September 2023, involving 742 participants from the Moyamba and Bo districts. Data were collected using a pretested interview guide covering ITN ownership, usage, and challenges. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi-squared test were used for data analysis. Results Of the respondents, 84.8% received training on ITN usage, primarily from health workers (46.1%). Most participants (94.7%) understood that ITNs provide protection against mosquitoes, and 84.5% believed in their effectiveness in preventing malaria. Sociodemographic factors like age, sex, education, marital status, and sources of information were significantly associated with ITN knowledge and utilization. Moreover, health workers’ campaigns and interpersonal networks (community leaders, plus family and friends) play crucial roles in promoting ITN utilization, while mass media campaigns alone may not suffice. However, 48.2% of the participants found current ITN campaign strategies effective. Conclusion While awareness and ownership of ITNs are high in the Moyamba and Bo districts, utilization is hindered by various factors, including availability and alternative uses. Enhanced campaign strategies and increased ITN distribution are necessary to improve usage and reduce malaria incidence.
Related Links	https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12889-024-21007-5.pdf
Ending Page	12
Page Count	12
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14712458
DOI	10.1186/s12889-024-21007-5
Journal	BMC Public Health
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	25
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2025-02-10
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Public Health Medicine Epidemiology Biostatistics Vaccine Environmental Health Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) Malaria Knowledge Utilization Sierra Leone Medicine/Public Health
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Journal Impact Factor	3.5/2023
5-Year Journal Impact Factor	3.9/2023

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

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