Abstract
Objective
This study explored the factors that affect the incentive to care for Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) among householders in the Shai-Osudoku District of Ghana.
Methods
The study employed a descriptive qualitative design. Four in-depth interviews (IDIs) and four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to gather the data from 38 participants. A thematic technique was used to analyse the data.
Findings
Householders were aware of the importance and use of ITNs. The factors underlying the motivation of householders to care for ITNs included their need to stay healthy; inadequate funds to acquire new ITNs and pay for healthcare cost; and their knowledge of the use and efficacy of ITNs. It was also found that obtaining the nets at no cost; limited time available to mend the ITNs; and limited knowledge on how to mend the ITNs disincentivised householders from effectively caring for the nets.
Conclusions
There is a need to rethink current ITN intervention programmes in ways that will improve the contents of public education messages and strengthen monitoring frameworks to ensure that householders take optimum care of their nets.
This study explored the factors that affect the incentive to care for Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) among householders in the Shai-Osudoku District of Ghana.
Methods
The study employed a descriptive qualitative design. Four in-depth interviews (IDIs) and four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to gather the data from 38 participants. A thematic technique was used to analyse the data.
Findings
Householders were aware of the importance and use of ITNs. The factors underlying the motivation of householders to care for ITNs included their need to stay healthy; inadequate funds to acquire new ITNs and pay for healthcare cost; and their knowledge of the use and efficacy of ITNs. It was also found that obtaining the nets at no cost; limited time available to mend the ITNs; and limited knowledge on how to mend the ITNs disincentivised householders from effectively caring for the nets.
Conclusions
There is a need to rethink current ITN intervention programmes in ways that will improve the contents of public education messages and strengthen monitoring frameworks to ensure that householders take optimum care of their nets.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2263-2276 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | International Journal of Health Planning and Management |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 6 Aug 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2021 |
Bibliographical note
The authors are grateful to Dr Collins Stephen Kwaku Ahorlu, who supervised the initial project on which this article is based.Ghana Health Services Ethical Review Committee approved the study protocol (GHS-ERC: 139/02/17). We sought permission from the District Director of Health Service and chiefs (traditional leaders) in each community before the study. Respondents were informed about the purpose of the study in the local language Dangme, and written consents were obtained from each participant. Participants were made aware that they were free to opt-out of the study at any time without justification.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords
- disincentives
- Ghana
- incentives
- insecticide-treated nets
- ITN maintenance
- malaria control
