Table 4. Definitions, codes and main results per emerging themes.
| Theme | Definition | Codes | Pregnant women* (N = 24) n/ (%) |
Mothers of children under 5years* (N = 24) n/ (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perceptions of LLIN use | Emerged when the interviews discussed: • The importance of using LLINs to protect themselves from malaria • The use of LLINs by interviewees, both those who mentioned they were using them appropriately and inappropriately • The use of LLINs by neighbours and acquaintances, both appropriately and inappropriately |
Prevent mosquito bites and malaria | 20 (83.3) | 18 (75.0) |
| Prevent other diseases such as cholera | 4 (16.7) | 4 (16.7) | ||
| Protect the foetus | 0 | |||
| Use o LLINs for fishing by others | 0 | 2 (8.3) | ||
| Awareness of vulnerable groups in malaria prevention by mothers | Emerged when interviewees discussed: • Groups traditionally considered vulnerable in malaria prevention • Reasons why pregnant women and children under 5 years old cannot be the only group considered priority in the use of LLINs. |
Pregnant women and children | 13 (54.2) | 19 (79.2) |
| No specific risk group | 7 (29.2) | 5 (20.8) | ||
| Pregnant women and postpartum women < 25years old | 2 (8.3) | 0 | ||
| Misconceptions about LLIN use | Emerged when interviewees discussed: • Interviewees beliefs regarding the use of LLINs • Interviewees and community leaders’ opinions on the use of LLINs • Rumours associated with the use of LLINs |
Increase in number of mosquitoes | 3 (12.5) | 0 |
| Increase in other diseases | 0 | |||
| No myths or taboos heard | 21 (87.5) | 24 (100.0) | ||
| Barriers to personal use of LLINs | Emerged when interviewees discussed the difficulties that they have in utilizing LLINs adequately | No problems experienced | 0 | 13 (54.2) |
| Experienced side effects (e.g. phobia, allergy and increase in temperature) | 20 (83.3) | 4 (16.7) | ||
| Difficulty breathing | 4 (16.7) | |||
| Discomfort in getting in and out of the LLINs | 0 | 2 (8.3) | ||
| Use of alternative prevention methods | 0 | 5 (20.8) | ||
| Barriers to the use of LLINs within communities | This theme was created in response to the interviewees discomfort in speaking about their own difficulties with LLINs use but were reporting that other people had mentioned having problems such as allergies, increase temperature when using LLINs | Experienced side effects | 16 (66.7) | 22 (91.7) |
| Alcoholic habits and perception that LLINs are ineffective | 2 (8.3) | |||
| Dislike LLINs | 6 (25.0) | 0 | ||
| Fell ill with the flu due to LLIN use | 2 (8.3) | |||
| Seasonal preferences for LLIN use | Emerged when interviewees discussed: • Preferential use of LLINs in the winter • Preferential use of LLINs in the summer • Use of LLINs in both winter and summer • Reasons behind the preferential use of LLINs in one season vs another |
Prefer to use LLIN in summer because there are no mosquitoes in winter | 14 (58.3) | 3 (12.5) |
| Prefer to use LLIN in summer and winter alike | 10 (41.7) | 17 (70.8) | ||
| • Health professionals’ key messages during the distribution of LLINs in health centres | Emerged when interviewees discussed: • Information received on the importance of LLINs use • Precautions to be taken before LLINs use • Not having received any information about LLINs use • Having received correct information on the precautions to be taken before LLINs use • Having received incorrect information on how to care for LLINs before use |
No information given | 11 (45.8) | 17 (70.8) |
| Wash LLIN with detergent and/or dry it under the sun | 5 (20.8) | 1 (4.2) | ||
| Wash LLIN with water and dry it in the shade | 5 (20.8) | 0 | ||
| Air LLIN in the shade, before use | 0 | 4 (16.7) | ||
| Told not to use for fishing or cover flowerbeds | 4 (16.7) | 0 | ||
| Key messages from health professionals during community distribution of LLINs | Emerged when interviewees discussed: • Information received on the importance of LLINs use • Precautions to be taken before LLINs use • Not having received any information about LLINs use • Having received correct information on the precautions to be taken before LLINs use • Having received incorrect information on how to care for LLINs before use |
No information given | 12 (50.0) | 15 (62.5) |
| Wash LLIN with detergent and/or dry it under the sun | 5 (20.8) | 2 (8.3) | ||
| Wash LLIN with water and dry it in the shade | 0 | 0 | ||
| Air LLIN in the shade, before use | 0 | 4 (16.7) | ||
| Told not to use for fishing or cover flowerbeds | 4 (16.7) | 0 |
*In cases where responses exceeded the number of women in the group, some women provided responses that fit into more than one category. In cases where the total number of responses is less than the total number of women, some women declined to answer or did not know what the answer was.