DETERMINANTS OF UTILISATION OF INSECTICIDE TREATED NETS FOR MALARIA PREVENTION AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE IN KENYA: A SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF KENYA DEMOGRAPHIC HEALTH SURVEY DATA, 2014

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background The use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) is one of the main strategies of Roll Back Malaria programme aimed to reduce malaria burden in Sub Saharan Africa. Aim The study aimed to assess the determinants of ITN utilisation among under five children in Kenya. Method This was a secondary analysis of Kenya Demographic Health Survey (2014) data, which was a cross sectional descriptive survey. Data was analysed from three regions in Kenya which were Nyanza, Western and Coast. The study population was under five children who were residents in the surveyed households. Multivariable analyses was used to establish the determinants of ITN utilisation among under five children in Kenya. Results The prevalence of ITN utilisation among under five children was 63% which was below RBM targets of 80% for ITN coverage and utilisation. The factors that were significantly associated with ITN utilisation included: child’s age, respondent’s age, education level, religion, access to radio, wealth index, house hold size and number of under five children in the house hold. These factors were significant at 95% confidence interval. Conclusion The low prevalence of ITN utilisation identified in this study should be addressed through redistribution of ITNs to households with no nets and with untreated nets. This should be accompanied by behaviour change and communication messages to ensure effective utilisation of ITNs. Social inequalities and poverty should be addressed since they are related to the determinants of ITN utilisation.