Image of Attitude and practice of pregnant women to use of insecticide treated nets in South-West Nigeria

Reproductive Health and Wellness

Attitude and practice of pregnant women to use of insecticide treated nets in South-West Nigeria

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Malaria remains the leading health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. Pregnant women are the main adult group at risk
of significant morbidity and mortality from this disease. A three pronged approach was advocated for its control
amongst pregnant women, one of which was use of ITN as it has been found to offer protection against the morbidity
arising from malaria in pregnancy. This study sets out to determine the attitude and practice of pregnant women in
this area to this important protective tool. Semi-closed ended questionnaires were administered on pregnant women
attending antenatal clinics at first contact over a period of three months. The questions were on their attitude and
practice to bed nets in general and Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) in particular. Over ninety percent of the study
population had one form of mosquito-net at home. However, bed net possession in the study population was 16.9%
and 14.8% for Insecticide treated nets. Only 10.4% of those who had ITNs slept on them the night before. Giving it
free was the main reason that could compel the respondents to use ITNs. More than two-thirds (66.1%) of them were
however willing to buy the ITNs at an unspecified cost. Lack of access to information, non-availability, frequent
power outages and hot weather were identified as reasons for non-possession and use of ITNs among the women.
While education, marital status and awareness have significant relationship with attitude (p value=0.000), only
awareness and marital status have significant relationship with practice. It is suggested that government should step
up its efforts at improving the awareness of the benefits of ITNs use and make it more available and affordable for the
populace. Subsidized cost as opposed to outright free distribution accompanied by participatory approach is likely
to ensure sustainability of the process and likelihood that the nets will be retained and effectively used in the
community. Early and regular use of ITNs in pregnancy should be a part of the Health education in the antenatal and
infant welfare clinics.

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Publication Information
: .,
Number of Pages
-
ISBN
-
Language
English
ISSN
2516-9831
Subject(s)
Pregnant Women
Attitude
Practice
insecticide treated nets
Malaria in pregnancy
Description
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Citation
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Article
Part Of Series
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DOI Identifier
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