KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES RELATING TO LONG -LASTING INSECTICIDAL NET AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER‒FIVES IN BUNDUAMA, PORT-HARCOURT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium. There are five identified species of the parasite, namely, Plasmodium viviax, P. falciparum, P. Ovale, P. Malariae and P. knowlesi. The parasite is transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito. The disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the under-fives worldwide. Mothers’ of under-five have pivotal role to play in the prevention and control of the disease. However, level of knowledge of under-five mothers relating to the disease and its parasites, and the use of insecticide treated nets to prevent/control malaria has not been well documented. The study therefore focused on the determination of the knowledge and utilization of the Long Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets (LLITNs) among mothers of under-five in Bundu-Ama, Port Harcourt Local Government Area and Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select 370 consenting mothers of under-fives from the community. A semi-structure interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed to collect data from the respondents. The instrument included a 24-point knowledge scale, questions relating to the attitude and pattern of utilization of LLITNs. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test set at p=0.05. Respondents’ mean age was 31.0±6.4 years, 78.4% were married 90.3% were in a monogamous homes while 53.2% had primary education. All the respondents (100.0%) had heard about malaria while most (92.7%) stated that their children had had at least a case of malaria. Most (95.1%) of the respondents correctly stated that malaria is transmitted through bite of an infected mosquito. Knowledge score was 13.0±4.0 and the proportion of respondents with good and poor knowledge of malaria were 85.3% and 14.7% respectively. Majority (95.7%) had heard of mosquito nets, major sources of information include clinic (34.1%), radio (23.5%) and friends (21.5%). Majority (67.9%) perceived LLITNs could prevent mosquito bites but 59.6% perceived it as a difficult innovation to use during dry seasons while 72.2% and almost 46.0% respectively agreed that positive attitude to eliminating breeding sites and the use of Insecticide Treated Nets

(ITNs) are preventive measures against malaria infection. Most (94.1%) stated that keeping the environment clean could help prevent malaria. There was a significant association between knowledge of malaria and reported use of LLITNs among the respondents. Heat generation by LLITNs top the list (72.4%) of the factors which hinders its use among mothers of under-fives. Despite the good knowledge of utilization of treated net and respondents’ positive attitude, the use of LLITNs was still poor among the respondents. Health promotion interventions such as public enlightenment, advocacy and role modeling are needed to address the situation.