Pages: (59-66 )
Abstract
Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to malaria infection in areas with high transmission rates. Malaria in pregnancy is associated with spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, stillbirth, premature delivery and anemia. Long Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLITN) have been recommended by the World Health Organization as an effective tool to combat malaria. However, malaria still persists among this at-risk group. This study was undertaken to assess the awareness and access to LLITN among pregnant women attending ante-natal care at Ikenne and Sagamu Local Government Areas. The study employed a cross-sectional design to collect information about the demographic
characteristics, level of awareness and the dynamics involved in access to insecticide treated nets from 318 randomly selected pregnant women in five primary health care facilities following consent from participants. The semi-structured instrument for data collection was pilot-tested to assure validity and reliability. The information obtained was analyzed using frequency distribution of responses in tables and charts. Results showed that 52.8% of the respondents had tertiary level education, 90% had heard about ITNs, mainly through health facilities (54.1%) while 216 (67.9%) claimed to have access to the nets. Data showed that respondents could obtain these nets from the health facilities (37.4%) and pharmacies (22.6%), while 69.5% reported that the nets are affordable. The level of awareness of ITNs among pregnant women in Ogun State was high while the proportion of respondents who had access to these nets was acceptable. Constant use of ITNs is dependent on the availability. The public health implication of this result is that more work needs to be done by health workers, stakeholders and government to increase accessibility of ITNs.
Keywords: Malaria, Pregnant women, LLITN, Awareness, Transmission,