Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania.
School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania.
PLoS One. 2024 Feb 15;19(2):e0279143. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279143. eCollection 2024.
Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), specifically long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), are the most commonly used, scalable, and cost-effective tools for controlling malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the multiple alternative uses of retired LLINs have been associated with poor disposal practices. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided guidelines and recommendations for the proper management of worn-out LLINs. This study assessed the existing alternative uses and disposal practices of old LLINs.
An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach was used to assess LLINs existing alternative uses, disposal practices, knowledge, and perceptions regarding WHO recommendations on proper disposal of old LLINs among stakeholders in Kilombero and Ulanga districts, south-eastern Tanzania. A survey questionnaire was administered to 384 participants. Furthermore, the study employed focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) to elucidate responses regarding existing disposal practices, associated challenges, and alternative uses of LLINs. The insights derived from both study components were subsequently used for inferential analysis.
The major challenge influencing the proper disposal of LLINs was limited awareness of how to properly dispose of them. Of the 384 people surveyed, 97.0% were not aware of the WHO recommendations for the proper disposal of old LLINs. All key informants were unaware of the WHO guidelines for proper disposal of old LLINs. The common methods used to dispose of LLINs were burning (30.7%), disposing them into garbage pits (14.8%), and alternative uses (12.2%). Of the 239 respondents with LLINs, 41.0% had alternative use, while 59.0% had no alternative use. The common alternative uses were ropes for tying or covering items (20.9%), garden fencing (7.5%), chicken coops (5.0%), and 7.5% for other minor alternative uses.
Strengthening awareness and education on proper LLIN disposal practices among community members and key stakeholders is essential for enhancing malaria control efforts and preventing environmental pollution.
经杀虫剂处理的蚊帐（ITN），特别是长效杀虫剂处理的蚊帐（LLIN），是撒哈拉以南非洲控制疟疾传播最常用、可扩展且具有成本效益的工具。然而，已报废 LLIN 的多种替代用途与不良处置做法有关。世界卫生组织（WHO）已经提供了有关 worn-out LLIN 妥善管理的指南和建议。本研究评估了旧 LLIN 的现有替代用途和处置做法。
采用解释性顺序混合方法，评估坦桑尼亚东南部基洛姆贝罗和乌兰加地区利益相关者对 WHO 关于旧 LLIN 妥善处置建议的现有替代用途、处置做法、知识和看法。向 384 名参与者发放了调查问卷。此外，该研究还采用焦点小组讨论（FGD）和关键知情人访谈（KII）来阐明有关现有处置做法、相关挑战和 LLIN 替代用途的回应。这两种研究方法的结果随后用于推理分析。
影响 LLIN 妥善处置的主要挑战是对如何正确处置它们的认识有限。在接受调查的 384 人中，97.0%的人不知道 WHO 关于旧 LLIN 妥善处置的建议。所有关键知情人都不知道 WHO 关于旧 LLIN 妥善处置的准则。处置 LLIN 的常见方法包括燃烧（30.7%）、将其丢弃在垃圾坑中（14.8%）和替代用途（12.2%）。在 239 名拥有 LLIN 的受访者中，41.0%有替代用途，而 59.0%没有替代用途。常见的替代用途包括用于捆绑或覆盖物品的绳索（20.9%）、花园围栏（7.5%）、鸡舍（5.0%）和其他次要替代用途（7.5%）。
加强社区成员和关键利益相关者对 LLIN 妥善处置做法的认识和教育，对于加强疟疾控制工作和防止环境污染至关重要。
