Effect of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net on Incidence of Malaria among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.

Abstract

Malaria and HIV are among the two most important global health problems of our time; together, they cause more than four million deaths per year. HIV and malaria prey on vulnerable individuals and make their situation even more perilous by attacking the most productive and active members of the society. Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs) represent a practical and effective means of preventing malaria in Africa. This study aimed to determine the effect of LLITNs on the incidence of malaria among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).A quasi experimental study conducted among 84 PLHIV. EPI info statistical software version 3.5.4 was used for data analysis and 95% confidence interval was used with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. The mean age of the respondents in this study was 33.9 + 11.5 years. There was significant improvement in the consistency of use of LLITNs 6 months post intervention (P = 0.029). Marked reduction in the incidence of malaria among the respondents 3 and 6 months post intervention (P < 0.001) was also obtained. This study has demonstrated significant reduction in the incidence of malaria among PLHIV significantly following provision of LLITNs supported with appropriate health education.