Factors Influencing the Usage of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets among Pregnant Women

Abstract

Purpose: Malaria in Sudan is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Incidence remains very high especially among pregnant women and children under five. study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the usage of insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) for prevention of malaria among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with convenience nts, prevalence of malaria was 71.2%. The coverage of ITNs was 58.7% but only 11.5% used ITNs regularly. Ninety six (92.3%) showed good knowledge on malaria causes, 103 (99%) had good knowledge on malaria complications and 62 (59.6%) showed good knowledge on the aim of ITNs usage. Only 23 (22.1%) knew the proper usage of ITNs. Maternal age, income, gravidity, parity, abortion, number of family members, usage of ITNs during last pregnancy, previous history of malaria, usage of ITNs by other family members and accessibility to ITNs were significantly associated with current usage of ITNs. Conclusion: Although there was good knowledge of ITNs among women in Sudan, proper usage of ITNs is poor. Factors influencing usage of ITNs among the pregnant women include maternal age, income, gravidity, parity, abortion, number of family members, usage of ITNs during last pregnancy, previous history of malaria, usage of ITNs by other family members and accessibility to ITNs.

Keywords: ITN, malaria, pregnancy, Sudan.