Abstract

LLANOS-ZAVALAGA, Fernando; HUAYTA ZACARIAS, Ernesto²  and  LECCA GARCIA, Leonid. Associated factors to the use of bednets  in the Department of Piura, Peru. Rev Med Hered [online]. 2005, vol.16, n.2, pp.97-106. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objectives: The study presents the associated factors to the use of bednets at the department of Piura, Perú. Material and Methods: Qualitative study made between February and March, 2000 at Piura. The key informants were health providers (HP), community health workers (CHW) and settlers randomly selected of two areas (high and medium endemicity), being applied 12 in-depth interviews (IDI), one per health facility, under saturation principle. Based on IDI and focus group results, a map of knowledge was elaborated. Results: Were identified as factors associated to the use of bednets: the perception of effectiveness of non-impregnated bednets (NIBN) and impregnated bednets (IBN), and the education and continuous supervision of HP and CHW. Factors associated to the non-use of bednets were: Lack of comprehensive knowledge of the disease, adverse sensation of heat and asphyxia for NIBN and scent of the insecticide for IBN, cost of bednets, lack of joint strategies including educational issues, social and participative support, and collaboration between health facilities. Conclusions: Inadequate disease knowledge of the population, although they recognized bednets as a good preventive measure. Insufficient knowledge of HP, CHW and settlers on the benefits, suitable use and maintenance of IBN, being necessary a continuous training on this preventive measure against malaria.

Keywords : Use of bednets; malaria; conventional bednets; bednets impregnated with insecticide.

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