Knowledge and practice of the use of insecticide Treated Nets Among Mothers in Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria (A Preliminary Survey)

Abstract

One of the control measures proposed in fighting malaria is the use of insecticide treated nets including treated bed nets and curtains. The study assessed the knowledge and practice and utilization of the insecticide treated nets among 190 mothers of children less than five years of age.

Structured questionnaire seeking information on socio-demographic factors, awareness and various level of utilization was used. The results showed that 61% of the mothers were aware and had actually used mosquito nets before, while only 28.2% of the mothers were aware of the existence of insecticide treated nets and only 3.2% had tried the insecticide treated nets .17% had information of the use of net from doctors, while 6.3% had the information from friends and 4.9% from advertisement from the newspapers. None heard formal radio advertisement or health education campaign in the clinic. The justification given for not using the nets were non-availability (62.2%), non-affordability (18.7%) and the belief that the treated net may have negative and adverse effect (18.7%). All mothers were ready to use insecticide treated nets if adequate information would be provided and the nets to be made readily available at affordable cost. The level of awareness and utilization were low among mothers of children less than 5 years of age.

Social mobilization and advocacy strategy in conjunction with existing social marketing would achieve considerable results as regards increasing awareness and utilization levels among mothers.


NQJHM Vol. 14 (2) 2004: pp. 181-184