Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Insecticide Treated Nets Among Antenatal Attendees in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku, Awka
Authors: Eyisi, I. G., Eyisi, C. S., Akabuike, J. C.
Journal: Medicine and Public Health Research Journal (MPHRJ), ISSN 1694-4593
Citation: MPHRJ 3(2), 2022-08-12.
DOI: 10.70878/mphrj.2022.35f43f6d
PDF: Download full-text PDF
Type: Original Research
Abstract
The aim is to evaluate their experiences with use of insecticide treated nets and assess factors that may contribute to increased or decreased utilization of insecticide treated nets. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Awka, Anambra State. This research utilized a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The data was summarized using tables, bar charts, pie charts and chi square test. The mean age of respondents was 27.42 ± 8.74. All respondents were females. Among them, 20 (12.3%) were single and 140 (85.9%) were married. Most of the respondents, 153 (96.2%) were Igbo by ethnicity. By occupation, 56 (34.4%) were civil servants, 48 (29.4%) were business owners/traders, 17 (10.4%) were housewives and 39 (23.9%) were self-employed professionals. The respondents had adequate knowledge about insecticide treated nets as majority, 161 (97%) have heard about insecticide treated nets. 154 (92.8%) attendees agreed that use of insecticide treated nets is necessary during pregnancy and the same number of attendees believe that it provides more benefit than harm. In addition, 140 (90.9%) attendees agreed that insecticide treated nets are a potent method of preventing malaria during pregnancy and improves quality of life 112 (75.7%). It was evident from the study that fewer attendees sleep under insecticide treated net every day compared to number that agreed they sleep under insecticide treated net. The study revealed that there is adequate knowledge of malaria in pregnancy and preventive measures among antenatal attendees in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Awka, Anambra State. There was effective utilization of various preventive measures especially use of insecticide treated nets, antenatal drugs (IPT) and insecticide spray. Excessive heat accounted for the most common reason which discouraged the attendees from using insecticide treated nets. Also, according to them, the major difficulty encountered when using insecticide treated net is that it causes more heat in hot weather. We concluded by recommending some measures which will boost compliance and utilization of malaria preventive measures in pregnancy which include public health education and enlightenment of pregnant women on the benefits of use of insecticide treated nets and integration of malaria prevention strategies by the government and policy makers across all tiers of the health system.
Keywords
Antenatal Attendees, Insecticide Treated Nets, Knowledge Attitude and Practice Authorship: Eyisi, I. G., Eyisi, J. | FULL PDF
Full Text
The aim is to evaluate their experiences with use of insecticide treated nets and assess factors that may contribute to increased or decreased utilization of insecticide treated nets. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Awka, Anambra State. This research utilized a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The data was summarized using tables, bar charts, pie charts and chi square test. The mean age of respondents was 27.42 ± 8.74. All respondents were females. Among them, 20 (12.3%) were single and 140 (85.9%) were married. Most of the respondents, 153 (96.2%) were Igbo by ethnicity. By occupation, 56 (34.4%) were civil servants, 48 (29.4%) were business owners/traders, 17 (10.4%) were housewives and 39 (23.9%) were self-employed professionals. The respondents had adequate knowledge about insecticide treated nets as majority, 161 (97%) have heard about insecticide treated nets. 154 (92.8%) attendees agreed that use of insecticide treated nets is necessary during pregnancy and the same number of attendees believe that it provides more benefit than harm. In addition, 140 (90.9%) attendees agreed that insecticide treated nets are a potent method of preventing malaria during pregnancy and improves quality of life 112 (75.7%). It was evident from the study that fewer attendees sleep under insecticide treated net every day compared to number that agreed they sleep under insecticide treated net. The study revealed that there is adequate knowledge of malaria in pregnancy and preventive measures among antenatal attendees in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Awka, Anambra State. There was effective utilization of various preventive measures especially use of insecticide treated nets, antenatal drugs (IPT) and insecticide spray. Excessive heat accounted for the most common reason which discouraged the attendees from using insecticide treated nets. Also, according to them, the major difficulty encountered when using insecticide treated net is that it causes more heat in hot weather. We concluded by recommending some measures which will boost compliance and utilization of malaria preventive measures in pregnancy which include public health education and enlightenment of pregnant women on the benefits of use of insecticide treated nets and integration of malaria prevention strategies by the government and policy makers across all tiers of the health system.