Knowledge And Use of Insecticide Treated Nets in Malaria Control And Prevention Among Pregnant Women in Enugu State

ABSTRACT 

Malaria in pregnancy is a very serious obstetric problem that has severe negative effects on maternal health and birth outcomes. Avoiding contact with mosquitoes, the vectors for Malaria, by use of insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) can prevent or reduce malaria load. A recent synthesis of data from national malaria control programmes has shown that levels of knowledge and utilization of ITNs by pregnant women in many sub-Saharan African countries remain far below national and global strategic targets. Hence the aim of the study was to investigate the level of knowledge and use of ITNs in prevention and control of malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in health facilities in Enugu urban. The objectives of study were to: determine the level of knowledge of ITNs in the prevention and control of malaria by pregnant women in Enugu Urban; determine the proportion of pregnant women in Enugu urban that use ITNs; identify the pattern of use of ITN among pregnant women in Enugu Urban; ascertain the social factors that influence the use of ITN among pregnant women in Enugu Urban; and ascertain and describe the association between awareness and use of ITN among pregnant women in Enugu Urban. A cross-sectional descriptive survey research design was employed and a sample of 350 pregnant women drawn from three Local Government Areas in Enugu urban participated in the study. Descriptive statistics, Logistic regression and Spearman’s correlation were used for data analyses. Findings revealed that majority of the pregnant women (90%) had adequate knowledge of ITNs as a preventive and control measure against Malaria. Knowledge also translated to improved use of ITNs among the respondents. The findings also revealed that social factors (age, education, ethnicity, marital status and number of children) had significant positive influences on the use of ITNs. There was a strong positive significant association (rhp=.896; p=.000) between respondents’ knowledge and use of ITNs. The study emphasized the need for improvements in ITN maintenance practices in order to increase the duration of use and its efficacy in prevention and control of Malaria.