In spite of efforts to minimise the incidence of malaria through the use of the Insecticide Treated Mosquito nets (IT MNs), some people in Sekesua, Akaten and their environs in the Eastern Region have found an alternative, but bizarre use for them.
They are using the IT MNs, distributed to them as fishing nets and fencing materials for their gardens instead of hanging them on their beds and sleeping under them as required.
This behavior has become a matter of great concern to the health authorities in the upper Many Krobo District, where these communities are located.
A nurse at the Sekesua Health Centre brought this development to light during a Focus Group Discussion on malaria prevention in the area.
Mr. Stanley Nkako disclosed that about 40,000 IT MNs had been distributed so far, but the use has not been encouraging.
Speaking at the programme organised by the opinion leaders in the communities, the health authorities and the Klo Drivers Alliance, an NGO, he said monitoring done by health personnel on the use of the net further revealed some of the people use them as door and window blinds.
Mr. Nkako appealed to the opinion leaders to educate the people to use the nets for their original purposes.
The Project Manager of the Klo Drivers Alliance, Mr. Sackitey Offei, said the aim of the programme was to share the findings with the opinion leaders and health authorities.
Dade Mantse Kwame Tetteh of Block B. Sekesua, an opinion leader also said most of the people in the area complained of itching if they use the nets.
The Senior Physician at the Health Centre, Mr. Nicholas Tamatey, appealed to pregnant women n the area not to hide their pregnancy until the last hour before they attend hospital.
