Assessment Of Knowledge, Attitude And Use Of Insecticide-treated Nets Among Students In Boarding Secondary Schools In Igembe District, Kenya

Malaria is a major public health problem causing immeasurable human suffering in many countries particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa, which account for about 90% of malaria cases in the world. Many people live in countries with high risk of contracting malaria and 300-500 million cases of malaria are estimated to occur annually. Malaria is transmitted to people of all ages and an estimate of 80% of human-mosquito transmission comes from over-fives with young adolescents forming the peak age group. Over the years malaria has emerged as serious threat to poverty reduction and a contributor to poor socio-economic development. In Kenya, malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality followed by AIDS and TB. Efforts to control malaria are being challenged by emergence of drug and insecticide resistance among other factors. Hence, there is a need to focus on interventions which prevent human contact with the mosquito vector such as the use of ITNs. However, studies have shown that ITN is an effective tool for malaria control. Although, a lot of campaign is being made to promote the use of ITNs WHO has reported low usage of ITNs among students in boarding secondary schools in Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan and Kenya, even in malaria endemic areas. The primary beneficiaries of the donor-driven free distribution of ITNs have been pregnant women and children below five years. Thus failing to target older children, it means malaria transmission is likely to continue. The objective of this study was to access the students’ knowledge on malaria transmission and the use of ITNs for malaria prevention among students in boarding secondary schools. This study was a descriptive cross-section survey and it was carried out in randomly selected boarding secondary schools in Igembe district, Meru County, Kenya.