Assessing the Awareness, Ownership and Utilization of Insecticide- Treated Bed Nets amongst Antenatal Clinic Attendees: A Tertiary Hospital- Based Study

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the most important parasitic infestation in humans and of public health importance. Annually, about 300 million people in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Central and South America are affected. Malaria in pregnancy, if untreated, accounts for a substantial increase in maternal, foetal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Insecticide treated bed net (ITNs) is one of the effective three-prongs of malaria prevention and control in pregnancy. Aim: To evaluate the awareness, ownership and utilization of ITNs amongst Antenatal clinic (ANC) attendees in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 384 pregnant mothers in ANC of RSUTH, using a semi- structured Questionnaire over a 3-month period. Data were sorted, coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM version 25.0. Results:  A total of 384 pregnant women were included in the study. Questionnaire retrieval rate was 100%. The mean age of the participants was 31.1 SD 4.5 years, (95% CI: 30.6, 31.1).  Their modal parity was para -1 (range 0-7), mean gestational age 28.7 SD 8.3 weeks, (95% CI: 27.9, 29.5). Majority 346 (90.1%) were aware of ITNs and 192 (50%) used ITNs for malaria prevention. Of the 384 respondents, 207 (54%) had tertiary level of education, 54% owned ITNs and 380 (99%) were Christians. The commonest source of information and reason for non-use of ITNs was from the Hospital 166 (43%) and ‘Inconvenience due to Heat’ 156 (40.6%) respectively. Conclusion: Despite increased awareness of ITNs as an effective method of malaria prevention, its utilization is low amongst pregnant women in our environment. Provision of ITNs free of charge or at subsidized rate, and education on its benefits will increase ownership and utilization among pregnant mothers.