Prevalence of Malaria and the Use of Long-lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Nets in Households of Rural and Semi-urban Communities in Mbengwi Health District, North West Region, Cameroon

Aims: In Cameroon, on August 2011 and October 2015 the Ministry of Public Health launched the national campaign for distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) to all families as a means of effectively fighting malaria transmission. The study area Mbengwi Health District found in the North West Region of Cameroon benefitted from this distribution of LLINs, but the impact of this intervention has not been evaluated. This study was designed to assess the use of LLINs in selected households of rural and semi-urban communities in Mbengwi Health District.

Study Design: A cross sectional study was conducted in households, between July 2017 to September 2017 in Mbengwi health district.

Methodology: Two questionnaires were administered; one to the household head and the other to the occupants. Blood samples were obtained to diagnose and quantify malaria parasite and to determine hemoglobin concentrations (HB). A total of 93 households and 440 inhabitants of all sexes and age groups were surveyed.

Results: Of the 440 participants, 49 were positive for malaria parasite giving an overall prevalence of 11.1%. From the questionnaires it was observed that 87 (93.5%) of the households owned LLINs, with up to 82 (94.3%) sleeping under the nets. All the owners of LLINs (87; 100%) obtained the nets from the government free of charge. There was no significant difference in bed-net ownership (p=0.978) and usage (p=0.664) between the rural and semi-urban communities. Malaria prevalence was significantly lower among users of LLINs (4.8%) than non-users (23.5%, p<0.001). Malaria parasite density negatively correlated significantly with HB (r= -0.097, p=0.041).

Conclusion: Overall, there was a high degree ownership and usage of LLINs by households in both rural and semi-urban communities, which was associated with protection from malaria infection.