KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND CULTURAL FACTORS TOWARDS UTILIZATION OF INSECTICIDE TREATED NETS (ITNS) AMONG RAKHINE ETHNIC GROUP IN ANN TOWNSHIP, RAKHINE STATE, MYANMAR

Abstract

This study is to find associations between general characteristic, knowledge, attitudes and cultural factors on malaria prevention toward utilization of insecticidal nets (ITNs) among Rakhine ethnic groups, in Ann Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar. An analytic cross sectional study was conducted among 420 Rakhine ethnic groups aged more than 18 years old from 10 villages in Ann Township. Data were collected by using face-to-face interview. The study found only 3.6% of respondents had good knowledge level, 19.0% good attitude level and 38.8% good practice level towards utilization of ITNs. Female participants were 8.015 times had good practice level than male (p-value <0.001, AOR 8.015, 95% CI = 3.395-18.923). High school level participants likely to use ITNs for 14.518 times than lower education level (p-vale <0.001, AOR 14.518, 95% CI = 4.642-45.408). Married participants were 13.753 times done good practice (p-vale <0.001, AOR 13.753, 95% CI = 4.371-43.267) and widowed participants were 5.403 times done good practice than singles (p-vale 0.039, AOR 5.403, 95% CI = 1.085-26.909). Regarding the cultural factors, participants who always worked from dawn to night time were 2.203 times had good practice level than who never work at that time (p-vale 0.032, AOR 2.203, 95% CI = 1.070-4.536). Regarding knowledge level of the participants, moderate and good knowledge level were 5.125 times had good practice level than lower knowledge level participants (p-vale <0.001, AOR 5.125, 95% CI = 1.062-6.429). Health education and encouragement of people should be done to improve knowledge and utilization to use insecticide treated nets.