Use of insecticide treated mosiquito nets among pregnant women in Ongino Sub-County, Kumi District

Abstract

The impact of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) on preventing malaria may be minimized if they are not used by the vulnerable population. The objective of the study was to assess the utilization of insecticide treated mosquito nets among pregnant women in Ongino sub-county, Kumi district. The analysis was based on a sample of 160 women using frequency distributions, ANOVA test of significance. Qualitative data from the Key Informant and Focus group Interviews was also analyzed along the main themes of the study. In the results, the factors which were associated with utilization of ITNs at cross tabulation of ANOVA (p<0.05) were what the ITNs were used for (p=0.001), household ITN ownership (p=0.002), household members that mostly used the ITNs (p=0.000), the period when the ITN were Used (p=0.000) all had a significant relation with utilization of ITNs. The results of this study showed a significant association between having attended school (80%) and consistent use of the net. Pregnant women in this study were knowledgeable in malaria and its causes as well as its new treatment plans. Pregnant women in the study could identify some symptoms and causes of malaria as well as why there is the need to using the ITNs. Most pregnant women in the study were having an insecticide treated net and were using it. Only a few of them were not having. The primary source of supply for insecticide treated nets was government. It is however recommended that government should continue the free distribution of the ITNs and the Ministry of Health should put in place strong policies and laws on the access and utilization of ITNs for improved efficiency and effectiveness of ITNs if we are to achieve a total malaria free Uganda.