Abstract
BackgroundSleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) is recommended for all pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the high prevalence of malaria infection and its associated complications in the region. Despite this, LLIN use has still remained sub-optimal among pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Understanding the interplay of factors influencing this important health behaviour would guide the development of interventions to promote its adoption.MethodsData was collected from 380 randomly selected antenatal care attendees of a hospital in Maiduguri, using structured questionnaires. This data was then used to test the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) model, for model fit, and interrelations among the constructs, using the structural equation modelling analysis with Smart-PLS.ResultsInformation and motivation were significantly related to behavioural skills (r = 0.29, p < 0.001 and r = 0.37, p < 0.001, respectively); and also to behaviour (r = 0.22, p < 0.001 and r = 0.11, p = 0.033 respectively). Behavioural skills however, did not significantly relate to behaviour (r = 0.03, p = 0.278).ConclusionThese findings highlight the potential usefulness of the IMB model in guiding interventions for promoting LLIN use among this group. More emphasis should also be laid on boosting levels of information and motivation among the target group.
Highlights
Sleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) is recommended for all pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the high prevalence of malaria infection and its associated complications in the region
Malaria remains a disease of public health importance in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria contributing the most number of cases to its global incidence [1]
The Information-Motivation-Behavioural skills (IMB) theory has proven to be a useful model in explaining the pathway to some health behaviours like HIV preventive behaviour [26], diabetes self-care [27], and even curb-side recycling behaviour [28]
Summary
Sleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) is recommended for all pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the high prevalence of malaria infection and its associated complications in the region. Understanding the interplay of factors influencing this important health behaviour would guide the development of interventions to promote its adoption. Understanding the interplay of determinant factors for LLIN use among pregnant women could guide the development of health interventions to promote its adoption. A health educational intervention guided by the model was effective in improving HIV preventive behaviours among truck drivers in India [29]. This model was first suggested by Fisher and Fisher, to explain HIV preventive behaviours among college students [26]. Behavioural skills on the other hand, entail both the actual as well as perceived abilities to carry out the desired health behaviour [31]
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