Impact of a behaviour change communication programme on net durability in eastern Uganda

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Entomology

Background:

• Net durability is crucial for effective malaria vector control, influencing replacement frequency.
• Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) require proper care and repair to maintain their useful life.
• Assessing behavior change communication (BCC) programs' impact on LLIN durability is vital for program sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of a BCC program on net durability and user care behaviors.
• To compare net condition and attitudes towards care and repair between intervention and comparison districts in Uganda.
• To identify factors influencing net condition and the effectiveness of repair behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was used, with one district receiving a BCC intervention and a neighboring district serving as a comparison.
• Two-stage cluster sampling household surveys were conducted at baseline and endline to assess net condition (using proportionate hole index), exposure to BCC messages, and attitudes.
• Intervention components included radio programs, school, and community events promoting net care and repair.

Main Results:

• The BCC intervention significantly increased exposure to net care and repair messages and fostered more positive attitudes toward these practices.
• Nets owned by individuals with very positive attitudes were more likely to be serviceable, particularly for a specific net brand.
• While the intervention led to more repairs, the act of repairing alone did not improve overall net condition; socio-economic status was also a predictor of net condition.

Conclusions:

• The BCC program successfully improved knowledge and attitudes regarding net care and repair, positively influencing net condition.
• Repairing nets alone was insufficient to enhance their overall durability.
• Further research is recommended to identify specific care behaviors and attitudes most effective in improving net condition for targeted BCC campaign refinement.