EXTENT AND PATTERNS OF UTILIZATION INSECTICIDE TREATED BED NETS AMONG ANTE-NATAL AND NURSING MOTHERS IN UDENU LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ENUGU STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was designed to ascertain the extent and patterns of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) among ante-natal and nursing in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The descriptive cross section research design was employed. The instrument for data collection was the researcher structured questionnaire. The population for the study comprised all ante-natal and nursing mothers in Udenu LGA of Enugu State attending ante-natal and post-natal clinics in the private and government health centers. A sample size of 528 subjects were selected for the study. Means were used to answer the research questions while one way ANOVA statistic was used in testing all the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The major findings from the study revealed that: Except antenatal mothers with none formal education who utilized ITNs to a low extent, others antenatal and nursing mothers with other levels of education utilized ITNs to a moderate extent. There was no significant difference in the utilization of ITNs among ante-natal and nursing mothers based on the level of education during pregnancy; while there was significant difference in protection of their young children with ITN’s based on level of education. There was no significant difference in the utilization of ITNs among ante-natal and nursing mother based on the period of the year during pregnancy, after childbirth and protection of their young children. The researcher recommended that the antenatal and nursing mothers should be adequately educated on the consequences of malaria in pregnancy and children below five years of age so that they will understand the need for early adoption and correct use of ITNs and as well as providing more ITNs to pregnant and nursing mothers.