Determinants of Impregnated Net Ownership and Utilization in Rural Community on the Thai-Myanmar Border in Prachuab Khiri Khan, Thailand

Efficacy of Insecticide-treated Nets (ITNs), Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in reducing malaria transmission are strongly presented in various countries. ITNs, LLINs and IRS free-of-charge have been used to control among Thai vulnerable populations since 2008. Studies found that the utilization of impreganted net among vulnerable Thai was low. This study investigated factors associated with impregnated net ownership and utilization among population living in rural community. Random samples of 1,673 respondents living in 678 households on the Thai-Myanmar border in Prachuab Khiri Khan province were interviewed from October 2010 to May 2011. The prevalence of impregnated nets ownership was 41%, and 70% of their own utilized them. In multivariate analysis, Thaipladthin ethnicity (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR) 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2-3.6) and access to IRS (aOR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.6-3.1) were associated with impregnated net ownership. Malaria infection (aOR 4.2; 95% CI: 1.8-9.4), and irregularly use of electric fan (aOR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3-3.1) were positively associated with net utilization. Whereas, high level of barrier to ITN/LLIN utilization (aOR 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) was associated with net utilization. Our findings reflect an existing gap between net ownership and utilization. To scale-up the adoption of impregnated net utilization, enforcing ownership through sustainable strategies that involved social marketing should be addressed.