Decision-making on intra-household allocation of bed nets in Uganda: Do households prioritize the most vulnerable members?

Yukyan Lam, Steven A. Harvey, April Monroe, Denis Muhangi, Dana Loll, Asaph Turinde Kabali, Rachel Weber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Access to insecticide-treated bed nets has increased substantially in recent years, but ownership and use remain well below 100% in many malaria endemic areas. Understanding decision-making around net allocation in households with too few nets is essential to ensuring protection of the most vulnerable. This study explores household net allocation preferences and practices across four districts in Uganda. Methods. Data collection consisted of eight focus group discussions, twelve in-depth interviews, and a structured questionnaire to inventory 107 sleeping spaces in 28 households. Results: In focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, participants almost unanimously stated that pregnant women, infants, and young children should be prioritized when allocating nets. However, sleeping space surveys reveal that heads of household sometimes receive priority over children less than five years of age when households have too few nets to cover all members. Conclusions: When asked directly, most net owners highlight the importance of allocating nets to the most biologically vulnerable household members. This is consistent with malaria behaviour change and health education messages. In actual allocation, however, factors other than biological vulnerability may influence who does and does not receive a net.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number183
JournalMalaria journal
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 17 2014

Keywords

  • Bed net access
  • Bed net allocation
  • Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs)
  • Malaria
  • Mosquito nets
  • Net use patterns
  • Qualitative research
  • Uganda

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases

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