Knowledge, Use And Promotion Of Insecticide Treated Nets By Health Workers In A Suburban Town In South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Morbidity and mortality associated with malaria can be significantly reduced by widespread use of insecticide treated nets. Health workers can increase acceptability of ITN by promoting its use and serving as role model. Objective: To assess the knowledge, use and promotion of insecticide treated bed-net by health workers.
Method: This descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out among health care workers in Sagamu (Ogun State) between November 2004 and January 2005. Data was collected from 263 health workers using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. Result: Two hundred and forty six (93.5%) were aware of insecticide treated bednets (ITN) but many did
not have adequate knowledge about it, only 52 (20.9%) knew that ITN should be retreated every 6 months. Sixty (22.8%) were currently using ITN. In the homes where they were currently using ITN, children were the main users (59%). The major reasons given for not using an ITN were that it had not occurred to them (23.2%), 13.3% were satisfied with the method they were using and 12.1% felt it was not convenient to use. Less than one-third (32.3%) indicated that ITN was available in their health facility. Fifty-seven percent (56.7%) had recommended it for patients before. The main reasons given by those who had not recommended it before were: lack of knowledge about it (52.5%), while 20% indicated that they were not familiar with it. Conclusion: Awareness about ITN is high among the health workers but the knowledge about it is inadequate. The major challenges to use and promotion of ITN by health workers are lack of conviction about the unique benefits of ITN, inadequate knowledge and poor access to the nets.

Keywords: Use, Promotion, Insecticide Treated Nets, Health workers

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (2) 2008: pp. 149-154