Knowledge, accessibility, and utilization of insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in a selected hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: Prevention of malaria in pregnancy (MIP) with the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) is no doubt one of the major interventions aimed at reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, accessibility and utilization of ITNs during pregnancy. METHODS: This is a quantitative survey conducted in 2014 among pregnant women attending ANC in Redeemer Hospital and Maternity, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu State, South-Eastern Nigeria. One hundred and forty participants were selected using convenience sampling and information elicited using a self-developed questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 9) and results presented in frequency tables. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 90.7% knew of the effectiveness of ITNs in the prevention of MIP. Results also showed that most of the women (69.3%) own at least one ITN, and their major source was from the free house-to-house distribution by the government. Also, 62.9% revealed that the ITNs were readily available. Out of the 97 women that owned at least one ITN, the majority (69.1%) claimed to have started using ITNs even before pregnancy with 70% claiming to sleep under the ITNs always. Nevertheless, only 69.1% used an ITN correctly. CONCLUSIONS: There is high knowledge of ITNs and their effectiveness in prevention of MIP among pregnant women in Enugu South-Eastern Nigeria. However, there is a need for measures to increase awareness on their correct usage, and also to correct misconceptions and wrong beliefs associated with ITNs in order to enhance their utilization.