AN APPRAISAL OF THE UTILIZATION OF INSECTICIDE TREATED NETS BY PREGNANT WOMEN IN ENUGU CAPITAL. TERRITORY: SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Abstract
A descriptive cross-sectional survey of pregnant women in Enugu metropolis was carried out between the months of July and September 2010. This was done to appraise their utilization of insecticide-treated nets currently known as Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN), taking into consideration any socio-cultural and economic factors that
may influence net use. A total of 283 respondents returned their questionnaires and were analyzed accordingly. The mean age of the respondent was 30 ± 5.9 years. The majority (96.5%) of them were Christians. The study revealed an overall utilization rate of (20.1%) while the rate of ownership or possession of ITN was (35.7%). The awareness of the respondents about the benefits of ITN was markedly high (87.9%). On the contrary, the possession rate was low (35.7%). The electronic media Radio/TV played the highest role (49.9%) as the source of information about ITN to the study population, while ITN knowledge was highest among pregnant women who had formal education up to the
tertiary level. Culture and Religion appeared to have no significant influence on the utilization of ITN by the pregnant women. The common reasons were given for not having ITN which were most significant included inability to afford the price and not knowing how to get it, while poor ventilation was the most significant reason given for not sleeping under ITN. However, the majority of the women (88.3%) perceived ITNs as being safe to sleep under.
White nets (49.5%) were the most preferred by the respondent as opposed to red which was the least preferred.
Majority of the respondents (28.3%) use ITNs more regularly during Rainy reason.
may influence net use. A total of 283 respondents returned their questionnaires and were analyzed accordingly. The mean age of the respondent was 30 ± 5.9 years. The majority (96.5%) of them were Christians. The study revealed an overall utilization rate of (20.1%) while the rate of ownership or possession of ITN was (35.7%). The awareness of the respondents about the benefits of ITN was markedly high (87.9%). On the contrary, the possession rate was low (35.7%). The electronic media Radio/TV played the highest role (49.9%) as the source of information about ITN to the study population, while ITN knowledge was highest among pregnant women who had formal education up to the
tertiary level. Culture and Religion appeared to have no significant influence on the utilization of ITN by the pregnant women. The common reasons were given for not having ITN which were most significant included inability to afford the price and not knowing how to get it, while poor ventilation was the most significant reason given for not sleeping under ITN. However, the majority of the women (88.3%) perceived ITNs as being safe to sleep under.
White nets (49.5%) were the most preferred by the respondent as opposed to red which was the least preferred.
Majority of the respondents (28.3%) use ITNs more regularly during Rainy reason.
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