Abstract:
Background: In Ethiopia, the utilization of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLITN) is hampered by
behavioural factors such as low awareness and negative attitude of the community. The aim of this study was to
present the design and baseline results of a cluster randomized trial on the effect of training of household heads on the
use of LLITN.
Methods: This baseline survey was undertaken from February to March, 2009 as part of a randomized cluster trial. A
total of 11 intervention and 11 control Gots (villages) were included in the Gilgel Gibe Field Research Centre, south-west
Ethiopia. House to house visit was done in 4135 households to collect information about the use of LLITN and sociodemographic variables. For the diagnosis of malaria and anaemia, blood samples were collected from 2410 under-five
children and 242 pregnant women.
Results: One fourth of the households in the intervention and control Gots had functional LLITN. Only 30% of the
observed LLITN in the intervention and 28% in the control Gots were hanged properly. Adults were more likely to utilize
LLITN than under-five children in the control and intervention Gots. The prevalence of malaria in under-five children in
the intervention and control Gots was 10.5% and 8.3% respectively. The intervention and control Gots had no
significant difference concerning the prevalence of malaria in under-five children, [OR = 1.28, (95%CI: 0.97, 1.69)]. Eight
(6.1%) pregnant women in the intervention and eight (7.2%) in the control Gots were positive for malaria (P = 0.9).
Children in the intervention Gots were less likely to have anaemia than children in the control Gots, [OR = 0.75, (95%CI:
0.62, 0.85)].
Conclusion: The availability and utilization of LLITN was low in the study area. The prevalence of malaria and anaemia
was high. Intervention strategies of malaria should focus on high risk population and vulnerable groups.
