Willingness to Pay for Insecticide Treated Bed Nets and Associated Factors Among Households in Berehet Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) have been demonstrated to be of significant value in reducing morbidity and mortality. Understanding the feasibility of achieving widespread coverage with insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) has to be preceded by learning how people value the nets and estimating the potential demand for the nets. Objective: To determining Willingness to pay for insecticide-treated bed nets and a associated factors among households in Berehet Woreda, Amhara region , Ethiopia, 2012. Methods: A community based cross sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative was conducted in five random selected malarious Kebeles of Berehet Woreda from January to February 2012. The individual willingness-to-pay was assessed by contingent valuation technique using open ended with follow-up method. Qualitative data were also collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), observation and analyzed thematically. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between independent and dependent variable by odds ratio (with 95% confidence interval) SPSS version 16 Software. For every respondent three kind of ITN was prepared for demonstration in order to elicit their preferences. Results: The number individual of per net was 3.83. On average 1.75 sleeping place and 1.01 beds net per household was observed. Nearly 93.8%, respondents decide to use ITN in the near future and of these 68.5% were willing to buy ITN if supplied by the market. The median maximum amount that a person is willing to pay for blue rectangular was 20ETB. For blue and white conical ITNs people were willing to pay by 30ETB. Educational level and income was not significant influence willing to pay for ITN. Knowledge, perceive benefit of ITN, perceived severity and susceptibility on malaria was also found to be significantly associated with willingness to pay for ITN. Regarding to respondent’s payment characteristics of ITNs, those who prefer Kebele as supplier rectangular shape ITN were more likely to buy than other places [OR=1.92, CI= 1.07-3.92]. Conclusion: The number of individuals per net was lower than the required amount of national strategy and a significant numbers of respondents had willingness to pay for ITN. So, designing social marketing strategy that make an important contribution to household coverage and that ensure a sustainable supply of ITNS into the future is mandatory