Abstract
Background: Vector control is the main path to preventing and reducing malaria transmission. The ownership and use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) is the core vector control method and a proven intervention for the control and elimination of malaria in several malaria-endemic countries. This study determined the factors affecting the uptake and utilization of ITN by women in their reproductive age group in Nasarawa State Nigeria. Methods : A descriptive cross sectional study among women of reproductive age group (15 – 49 years) attending Ante Natal Clinic at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, General Hospital Akwanga and Medical Centre Mararaba Gurku in Nasarawa State Nigeria. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used after obtaining an informed consent. Ethical approval was gotten from the state research ethics committee. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The mean age of this study population was 27.9 ± 10.6 years. Of the total number of 772 participants in this study, a larger chunk of 707 (91.6%) have heard of insecticide treated net. In addition, most 538 (69.7%) participants said healthcare workers emphasizes the use of insecticide treated net during their antenatal care visits. More than half of the participants, 432 (56.0%) owned an ITN at home. Utilization of insecticide treated nets showed that, 451 (58.4%) sleeps under an insecticide treated net, with 334 (74.1%) of these sleeping under it daily. Reasons for not using ITN for some were; due to heat 137 (30.4%), due to smell 83 (18.3%) and others for no good reason 86 (19.1%) respectively. Beliefs about usefulness of ITN showed 320 (71.0%) felt it is very good and useful in preventing malaria. Conclusions: Most participants are aware of ITN. More than half owned (56%) and sleeps (58.4%) under the ITN. About 71% believed ITN is useful in preventing mosquito bites and malaria. Reasons for declining using ITN among some were due to the ITN’s heat and smell. While more than two-third felt ITN is useful in preventing mosquito bites and malaria. Keywords: Factors, Insecticide Treated Nets, Uptake, Utilization. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/92-06 Publication date: August 31 st 2021
Highlights
Insect borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, sleeping sickness, filariasis etc, have always been a global public health issue with malaria incidence being the commonest of all.[1]
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.[4,6]
It is very uncomfortable to use Discussion This study revealed that most participants know that insecticide treated net do prevent mosquito bites and malaria
Summary
Insect borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, sleeping sickness, filariasis etc, have always been a global public health issue with malaria incidence being the commonest of all.[1]. The ownership and use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) is the core vector control method and a proven intervention for the control and elimination of malaria in several malaria-endemic countries. This study determined the factors affecting the uptake and utilization of ITN by women in their reproductive age group in Nasarawa State Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study among women of reproductive age group (15 – 49 years) attending Ante Natal Clinic at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, General Hospital Akwanga and Medical Centre Mararaba Gurku in Nasarawa State Nigeria. Beliefs about usefulness of ITN showed 320 (71.0%) felt it is very good and useful in preventing malaria. About 71% believed ITN is useful in preventing mosquito bites and malaria. While more than two-third felt ITN is useful in preventing mosquito bites and malaria.
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