Factors influencing underutilization of discount vouchers in acquisition of insecticides treated mosquito bed nets: the case of women in Lushoto district Tanzania

Malaria is a public Health problem in Tanzania for quite sometimes now. The most affected populations are women and children less than five years. Various interventions are in place for malaria control. The use of insecticides treated mosquito nets (ITNs) is one of the interventions. To enable women to get ITNs, the government has introduced a Discount Voucher Scheme, which enables women to get ITN at a reduced price. Despite of this move, which expected to increase demand of such mosquito nets, there is low percentage of people using Discount Vouchers to purchase ITNs. Under- utilization of Discount Vouchers to purchase ITNs necessitated a study to look into the underlying reasons for this behaviour. From this background, a study to determine factors influencing under utilization of Discount Vouchers in Purchasing of ITNs was conducted in Lushoto District Council from 9th to 28th August 2006. Respondents were selected using stratified sampling technique. Women aged 15 to 48 years, who had babies of one and half years, and who were attending antenatal clinic were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information. The results of this study indicate that important factors that were found to be related to under utilization of discount voucher in purchasing insecticides treated mosquito nets were age of respondents, occupation, husbands’ education level, low socio economic status which lead to lack of additional money to add to a Discount Voucher, negative attitude towards the discount voucher scheme and distance to retail shops, where ITNs are sold. This study concludes that decision making to buy ITNs using Discount Vouchers is influenced by multifaceted factors. The government needs to strengthen its activities on improving economic status of communities and continue educating people about the importance of ITNs and their roles in malaria prevention.