EXTENT AND PATTERNS OF UTILIZATION OF INSECTICIDE TREATED BED NETS AMONG ANTE-NATAL AND NURSING MOTHERS IN UDENU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE.
ABSTRACT
The study was designed to ascertain the extent and patterns of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) among ante-natal and nursing mothers in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The descriptive survey research design was employed, utilizing the cross-sectional method. The instrument for data collection was the researcher structures 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. The statistical package for social science batch system was used to analyze the data; while t-Test statistic was used in testing all the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The major findings from the study revealed that: ante-natal and nursing mothers utilized ITNs during pregnancy and after birth to moderate extent. Ante-natal and nursing mothers utilized ITNs for protecting their young children against mosquito bites to a moderate extent. Ante-natal and nursing mothers of all age groups marital status, and various occupation utilized ITNs to a moderate extent. 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. Except nursing mother who utilized ITNs during the day to a low extent, other nursing and antenatal mothers utilized ITNs during other periods to a moderate extent. There was no significant difference in the utilization of ITNs among ante-natal and nursing mothers based on age, marital status and occupations. There was no significant difference in the utilization of ITNs among ante-natal and nursing mothers based on the level of education during pregnancy and after childbirth 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, among other views, made the following recommendations based on the finding and discussions from the results. That is. 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.