Assessment of Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Net Possession, Utilization and the Associated Determinants among Pregnant Women in Rayaazebo District, Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia
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Date
2007-04
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Malaria is one of the major health problems of the
community in the world, mainly to children and pregnant women. The use
of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) for protection against malarial is one of
the major strategies currently applied in most developing countries. Raya-
Azebo is one of the target Districts in Ethiopia for ITNs intervention, but
with limited evidences pertaining to its possession and utilization in the
most vulnerable group like pregnant women.
Objective: To assess the status of ITNs possession, utilization and
determinant factors among pregnant women for malaria control.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in both urban and
rural areas of Raya-Azebo District in Tigray Regional State. Using
multistage stratified sampling method, 815 households with at least one
pregnant woman were interviewed from randomly selected 21 Kushets
from rural areas (90.6% pregnant women) and three Kushets from urban
(9.4% pregnant women).The interview were regarding to possession and
utilization of ITNs by the pregnant women. Four Focus Group Discussions
(FGDs) were also held to generate important ideas for the study. In
addition to this, direct observation about the proper utilization of ITNs by
the pregnant women and children under-five was carried out during early
morning. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS version 10 soft
ware.
Result: ITNs possession and utilization of during the preceding night by
pregnant women of the study area was 59% and 34.5%, respectively. Net
re-impregnation rate in the areas was 96%. Educational status of the
pregnant women, lack of radio at household level, gravidity, family size
and number of living rooms were the most important factors that
influenced possession and utilization of ITNs.
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Conclusions: Possession and utilization of ITNs by the study households
were low. Educational level, radio possession, gravidity, family size, lack
of access to ITNs, and way of distribution were the main determinants for
possession and utilizations of ITNs. Improving the availability, sustainable
integrating of the supply of ITNs to ant natal care (ANC) services and also
to other sectors can be assured. Effective Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) should be needed to enhance continuous uses of
ITNs for protection of malaria in the highly risk group of the community.
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Assessment of Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Net Possession