ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Public Health
Sec. Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology and Prevention
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1561037
Reasons for low long-lasting insecticide treated nets use and repurposing: Qualitative study from Southern Ethiopia
Provisionally accepted
- 1South Ethiopia Public Health Institute, Jinka, Ethiopia
- 2College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia
- 3JSI Ethiopia, USAID Quality Healthcare Activity, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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Background: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the main vector control tools and remain protective against malaria, even in the presence of high pyrethroid resistance. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated percentage of the population sleeping under LLINs is low. Hence, this qualitative study was conducted to explore perceptions about LLIN and reasons for low LLIN use in southern Ethiopia.Qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Ethiopia. Study areas were selected based on low LLIN use following a quantitative survey. Seven Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with a total of 52 discussants were conducted. Data was managed manually using Microsoft Word and analyzed thematically.The themes emerged were ownership of LLIN, perceived lifespan of LLIN, uses of LLIN, reasons for LLIN non-use and recommendations. Participants indicated low LLIN coverage and interrupted maintenance supply. The pattern of LLIN utilization varied between groups as some said it was improving while some others said it was decreasing. The expected life span of LLINs reported varied from the least three months to the maximum of three years. Discussants from all FGDs described the possibility of discarding or repurposing LLINs is high when it does not kill mosquitoes. Some discussants added that ineffectiveness was worsened by exposing LLIN to direct sunlight to decrease suffocation. All FGDs discussants agreed that the main reason for not using LLINs was lack of awareness, which in turn caused negligence. Some groups in pastoralist areas added perception that LLINs do not protect from malaria as reason for non-use.The low LLIN use, and high repurposing practices were noted due to different reasons including low awareness, negligence, ineffectiveness of LLINs in killing mosquitoes and others.LLINs are repurposed mainly for covering different things and making ties. Continuous awareness creation activities and corrective measures might improve LLIN coverage and use.
Keywords: JSI Ethiopia, USAID Quality Healthcare Activity, Hawassa, Ethiopia, (email: LLIN use, Low utilization, Malaria, reasons
Received: 16 Jan 2025; Accepted: 06 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Endriyas, Chinkilo, Gujo, Gebru and Chisha. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Misganu Endriyas, South Ethiopia Public Health Institute, Jinka, Ethiopia
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