Factors Affecting Uptake and Utilization of Insecticide Treated Net Among Women of Reproductive Age (15 – 49 years) Group Attending Antenatal Clinics in Nasarawa State Nigeria

Background: Vector control is the main path to preventing and reducing malaria transmission. The ownership and use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) is the core vector control method and a proven intervention for the control and elimination of malaria in several malaria-endemic countries. This study determined the factors affecting the uptake and utilization of ITN by women in their reproductive age group in Nasarawa State Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study among women of reproductive age group (15 – 49 years) attending Ante Natal Clinic at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, General Hospital Akwanga and Medical Centre Mararaba Gurku in Nasarawa State Nigeria. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used after obtaining an informed consent. Ethical approval was gotten from the state research ethics committee. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The mean age of this study population was 27.9 ± 10.6 years. Of the total number of 772 participants in this study, a larger chunk of 707 (91.6%) have heard of insecticide treated net. In addition, most 538 (69.7%) participants said healthcare workers emphasizes the use of insecticide treated net during their antenatal care visits. More than half of the participants, 432 (56.0%) owned an ITN at home. Utilization of insecticide treated nets showed that, 451 (58.4%) sleeps under an insecticide treated net, with 334 (74.1%) of these sleeping under it daily. Reasons for not using ITN for some were; due to heat 137 (30.4%), due to smell 83 (18.3%) and others for no good reason 86 (19.1%) respectively. Beliefs about usefulness of ITN showed 320 (71.0%) felt it is very good and useful in preventing malaria. Conclusions: Most participants are aware of ITN. More than half owned (56%) and sleeps (58.4%) under the ITN. About 71% believed ITN is useful in preventing mosquito bites and malaria. Reasons for declining using ITN among some were due to the ITN’s heat and smell. While more than two-third felt ITN is useful in preventing mosquito bites and malaria. Keywords: Factors, Insecticide Treated Nets, Uptake, Utilization. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/92-06 Publication date:August 31st 202