Understanding the gap between access and use: a qualitative study on barriers and facilitators to insecticide-treated net use in Ghana

Table 3 Top ranked reasons for inconsistent use of ITNs from free listing and ranking activity

	Central region	Eastern region	Northern region
Community leaders	Heat Rashes Lack of education	Heat Chemical is too strong and causes reaction The net is short	Heat Reaction to the insecticide Itching
Under-five caretakers	Heat Do not see the need because of mosquito sprays, coils, fan, etc. Laziness to hang the ITN	Heat Reaction to the insecticide Difficulty in hanging the net	Heat Reaction to the insecticide Lack of education
Participants > 49 years	Heat Discomfort ITN material is too hard	Heat Discomfort Reaction to the insecticide	Lack of education Laziness
Health workers	Burning sensation (upon contact) Difficulty in hanging the ITN Heat Lack of education	Heat Reaction to the insecticide Itching	Misconceptions about ITNs Texture and shape of the ITN No access to the ITN by women and children (husband seized the ITN)
Male 18–49 years	Insecticide is too strong Lack of education Inability to hang the ITN	Heat Insecticide is too strong People just don’t like the ITN	Stubbornness Heat Itching/reaction to insecticide
Female 18–49 years	Heat Disruption of sexual activity Burning sensation	Heat Can’t breathe while under the ITN Skin rashes	Heat Laziness Procrastination

ISSN: 1475-2875