Assessing Knowledge and Factors Associated to Long Lasting Insecticide Nets use among pregnant women in southern Rwanda

Abstract

Background
 Around 443,000 pregnant women are at risk of malaria each year in Rwanda. LLINs are freely distributed to women at health centers during antenatal care visit and vaccination services.
 Methods
 A cross-sectional design was used to explore pregnant women’s knowledge and factors associated to LLINs use in five cells of Tumba sector. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed with Chi-square test to assess the association between LLINs ownership and utilization of LLINs.
 Results
 All respondents had high knowledge and knew that sleeping under LLINs helps to avoid mosquito bites whereas 381 (99.2%) knew that the use of LLIN helps to fight against the burden of malaria. LLIN ownership was 323 (84.1%) while usage was 283 (87.6%) among LLINs owners. LLIN ownership is significantly influenced by the level of education (p=0.001) and utilization (p=0.001). Although LLINs coverage was high, its utilization was low. Sixty-one respondents (15.9 %) do not have LLINs and 84 (22%) of respondents had low knowledge on LLINs.
 Conclusion
 Regular training on LLINs may increase awareness of pregnant women on the benefits of LLIN utilization.
 Keywords: Malaria; Households; Long-lasting insecticidal nets; Ownership; Rwanda