Primary Healthcare on Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets among Pregnant Mothers and Carers of Children in South –South Nigeria

Joseph Odoko

doi:10.31579/2690-8794/035

Abstract

One of the strategies of Primary Health Care (PHC) is the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) against malaria among pregnant mothers and care givers of children under five years. The agency for PHC in Nigeria is the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). The objective of this narrative review is to identify the role of PHC providers in promoting the use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and care givers of children under five years. Method was by review of 30 published literatures on PHC; as it relates to use of ITNs. Findings indicate that most pregnant mothers and care-givers of children under five years in Nigeria are aware that the best option to prevent malaria infection is by use of ITNs. Healthcare providers participate in mass distribution of ITNs. There is increase nets ownership in households. Supervisory guidance influences use of ITNs. However, there is evidence of slow uptake of ITNs due to resistance to behavioural change. Also, the knowledge of pregnant women concerning ITNs use was good, but the attitudes and practices were poor. The implication is that health promotion need to be enhanced among both PHC workers and community leaders on use of ITNs. Primary healthcare workers may need to be motivated to do their job in terms of promoting the use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and carers of children under five years.

Highlights

Primary health care was defined in the Declaration of Alma-Ata at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Alma-Ata, USSR, in 1978
Most of the Primary Health Care (PHC) strategies are performed at the level of the Health Centers (HC), which are the heart of primary care at the first level of care in the public network
Intervention of malaria has been a global responsibility to World Health Organization (WHO) where its role has contributed to 47% decline in malaria mortality globally thereby preventing up to 4.3 million deaths

Summary

Introduction

Primary health care was defined in the Declaration of Alma-Ata at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Alma-Ata, USSR, in 1978. Disparity in knowledge on prevention of malaria with use of ITNs in Nigeria rural setting has been identify to be due to pregnant women and care givers of children under five years who frequent health care facilities and are health educated on the important of ITNs on like other respondents that are not exposed to both massive scaling distribution in the country and having a non-pregnancy status. This signified the need to intensify efforts on malaria awareness campaigns if eradication of malaria from the country is to be actualized [24]. A recent report supporting this view shows about 50% Nigerian households own ITNs, but less than 20% slept under it ‘the previous night’ of survey [30]

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion