OBJECTIVE

Malaria is the most significant public health challenge. This study aimed to assess the status of the mosquito LMS practices for malaria elimination in South West Ethiopia. A mixed study designs were used to collect data with pre-tested questionnaires. The data were analyzed on a logistic regression model. Qualitative data were analyzed using Quirkos and results were presented in a thematic.

RESULTS

About 19.20% of households had good practice of LSM practice. The majority, 80.09% of households, had poor practices of LSM among a total of 1,552 households. More than half, 58.1% of households had a favorable attitude toward the LSM practice. Those participants with good knowledge of LSM practices had significantly 3.49 times higher odds of engaging in LSM practices compared to those with poor knowledge. Similarly, households with good knowledge of malaria had significantly 8.01 times higher odds of good LSM practices. Residents with favorable attitudes towards LSM practices had statistically 2.58 times higher odds of engaging in good LSM practices, but there were barriers to LSM practices.

CONCLUSIONS

There are poor LSM practices for malaria elimination that need behavioral change communications and promoting LSM, and providing training on changing attitudes, for prompt intervention, to reduce mosquitoes.