The Use Of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic At Lekma Hospital

ABSTRACT

Malaria was described by WHO (2009a) as a major public health and developmental challenge. Nevertheless, the burden is not only felt in the health sector but in every aspect of social and economic life. (WHO, 2011) indicated that malaria prevention is essential and the most cost effective measure in its prevention is by adopting the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs). ITNs have been shown to reduce malaria mortality by 17% in children below the age of 5 years (Baume et al 2011). The overall goal of current strategic plan of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) is to reduce malaria specific morbidity and mortality by 75% in 2015.The aim of the study is to ascertain factors that influence the use of insecticide treated net among pregnant women. Generally, the study intends to assess the factors that influence bed ownership and usage. Additionally, this study specifically sought to achieve the following objectives: to assess the proportion of women who own and use insecticide treated nets, to evaluate the factors associated with accessibility and use of insecticide treated nets, to determine the knowledge the pregnant women have on the causes of malaria. Cross-Sectional study design was employed to assess the ITN usage and Ownership among pregnant women visiting the LEKMA hospital through a quantitative approach of data collection. The results of this study showed a significant association between having attended school and owning an ITN at home. Pregnant women who have attended school had a 6 times probability of owning an ITN. All other demographic xii characteristics were not significantly associated with owning an ITN. Also, significant association was found between having attended school and sleeping under an ITN at home. Pregnant women who have attended school had a 9 times probability of sleeping under an ITN. All other demographic characteristics were not significantly associated with sleeping under an ITN. Pregnant women in this study were knowledgeable in malaria and it causes as well as its new treatment plans. Pregnant women in the study could identify some symptoms and causes of malaria as well as why there is the need to using the new treatment plan. Most pregnant women in the study were having the insecticide treated net and were using it. Only a few of them were not having. The primary source of insecticide treated net was the antenatal clinic. It was recommended that government should continue the free distribution of the ITN and the Ministry of Health to send field workers to monitor ITN usage occasionally.