Effect of Community Based Intervention on Awareness and Utilization of the Long Lastinig Insecticidal Nets in a Rural Area of Barkin Ladi LGA Plateau State Nigeria

Abstract

Low awareness about malaria and the utilization of the preventive methods are serious challenges of malaria control programmes in Africa. A community based interventional study was carried out among pregnant women in Dorowa Babuje. Health education was given to the pregnant women on the use of Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), after which the LLINs were distributed to the pregnant women. A reassessment on the level of awareness and utilization of the LLINs was done after four months. The women were within the mean age of 26+5.25 years, 69.6% of the women were farmers, 111 (63.8%) had primary school education.The level of awareness of ITNs increased from 59.2% at pre-intervention to 97.6% after health education intervention. McNemar’s X2 = 61.02, df = 1, p< 0.001 The intervention also increased practice of sleeping under the nets significantly to 146(89%) McNermar’s X2 =82.01, df = 1, p< 0.001. This study has demonstrated that with the ongoing National distribution of the Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets, a sustained community based education should be adopted as a strategy in order to achieve a universal coverage and utilization of the LLINs.