The status of ownership and utilization of long-lasting insecticidal treated nets in war-torn Tigray, Ethiopia

Malaria is a major public health problem, with nearly half of the world's population at risk. In Ethiopia, despite prevention efforts, malaria continues to be a significant issue, particularly in the post-war Tigray region. Insecticide-treated net (ITN) is a key preventive tool, but data on its distribution and usage in this region are limited. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2024 across 24 randomly selected districts, involving 2,338 households. Data were collected using Open Data Kit and analyzed with SPSS version 21, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. The findings revealed that 58.1% (95% CI 56.1-59.9) of households owned at least one ITN, and 61.6% (95% CI 59.1-64.2) reported using it the previous night. Multivariable logistic regression identified that being single was associated with lower ITN use (AOR = 0.5; 95% CI 0.3-0.7), while households with 3-4 members (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.2-2.6) and those with sufficient ITNs (AOR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.8) had higher usage rates. These findings highlight the need for tailored malaria prevention strategies, including sustained ITN distribution, ongoing health education, and targeted interventions to improve ITN utilization, to contribute to malaria elimination and achieve universal health coverage.