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Knowledge and Utilization of Insecticide Treated Net among Antenatal Clinic Attendees of a Tertiary Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria

Oridota ES(1), Onuoha SI(2), Sekoni AO(3), Akanmu ON(4), Olajide TO(5), Soriyan OO(6),


(1) Department of Community Health & Primary Care, College of Medicine, Universityof Lagos.
(2) Department of Community Health & Primary Care, College of Medicine, Universityof Lagos.
(3) Department of Community Health & Primary Care, College of Medicine, Universityof Lagos.
(4) Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
(5) Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
(6) Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Background: Malaria is a major public health problem inAfrica; it remains a leading cause ofmorbidity and mortality affectingthe lives of nearly everyone across the continent of Africa. Insecticides Treated Nets (ITNs) are malaria control tools, advocated by global and national malaria control programs.

Objectives: The study assessed possession and usage of ITNs by antenatal clinic attendees of the National Hospital, Abuja.

Methods:The study is a descriptive cross sectional study involving 195 pregnant women; data was collected with a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with epi info version 3.5.3. Test of significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: The majority (79%) ofthe respondents were aged 25-34 yrs, almost all ofthem (99%) had at least secondaryeducation, most of the women were married (96.4%)and two-third (67.7%) had at least a child. Most 191 (97.9%) of the respondents were aware ofITNs and 180(94.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge of ITNs. The majority 170(89%) ofthe respondentshad positive attitude towards the use of ITNs. Half, 98 (50.3%), of the respondents owned ITNs. Three quarter 74 (75.5%) of the respondents who owned ITNs used ITNs. There was no statistically significant association between level of education, age, knowledge and use ofITNs, however there was a statistically significant association between attitude, source ofITNs and ITNs utilization.

Conclusion: The knowledge of ITNs is high, but the possession and use of ITNs is low. The ownership of ITNs should be increased through free distribution targeted at pregnant suboptimal women and nursing mothers while ITNs owners should be encouraged to sleep under it.


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