Background: Malaria affects millions of people worldwide with 24 million Kenyans at risk of
infection annually. To develop strategies to improve use of malaria control methods, it is necessary to
determine factors that limit their use.
Objective: To determine factors influencing use of malaria control methods among the residents of
Nyando Sub-County.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 study participants selected through
simple random sampling. A questionnaire was administered to determine social demographic
characteristics, knowledge, attitude and utilization of malaria control methods; with accompanying
focus group discussion. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS, with manual thematic analysis
done for qualitative data.
Results: All study participants were aware of ITNs and used them. EM was known by 96.3% of the
respondents and practiced by 95.5%, larviciding was known by 22.9% and practiced by 7.5% of the
respondents. Knowledge of screens was poor (14.7%) and practiced by 3.5% of the respondents.
Majority of the respondents perceived ITNs to be important in malaria control while larviciding was
perceived as unimportant. Knowledge and Perception of all the malaria control methods was
associated their use. Social cultural factors were associated with use of larvicides, mosquito
repellents, screens, and IRS.
Conclusion: Knowledge, practices, socio-cultural factors and perception towards malaria control
methods, were associated with their use.
Recommendation: Active campaigns to sensitize Nyando residents on malaria control methods
should be initiated. Those living in traditional huts should be encouraged to screen their huts since
space that is left for ventilation allows mosquitoes into their houses.