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Ownership and Utilization of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) and Factors Associated to Non-utilization Among Pregnant Women in Ho Municipality of Ghana

Received: 1 September 2016    Accepted: 6 September 2016    Published: 14 October 2016
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Abstract

Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting millions of people across the world especially children under five years and pregnant women. As part of the preventive strategies to combat malaria in pregnant women, free Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) are given to them at Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics. This study assessed the ownership and utilization of LLINs and association between knowledge and utilization of LLINs among pregnant women in the Ho Municipality. Methods: In March 2016, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in six ANC clinics in Ho the municipal and regional capital of Volta Region. All six ANC clinics in the regional capital were included. Proportionate sampling was used to determine subjects needed from each facility. All eligible pregnant women present at the time of visit to the facility were conveniently used. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the categorical data whilst t test was used for the quantitative variables. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the relationships and associations between the dependent and independent variables. Results: A total of 355 pregnant women with mean age 27.8 ± 5.5 years were interviewed. Ownership of LLIN was 81.4% while usage was 42.5%. Level of education significantly influenced LLIN ownership (p=0.003) and utilization (0.020). The main barriers to LLIN utilization were inconvenience due to heat (77.7%), lack of ownership of LLIN (12.9%) and absence of mosquitoes (4.3%). Knowledge on LLINs was high (73%). Conclusion: Ownership of LLIN was high but utilization was very low. Over a quarter (27%) of the pregnant women had moderate knowledge on LLINs. This if left unchecked can have negative consequences on the health of these women and their unborn babies. Recommendations: Behaviour change communication strategies on LLIN use should be further targeted to improve LLIN utilization among pregnant women.

Published in Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 2, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16
Page(s) 35-42
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Malaria Prevention, Pregnant Women, Antenatal Clinics, LLIN Ownership, LLIN Utilization, Knowledge, Ho Municipality

References
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[2] World Malaria Report (WHO) Switzerland, Geneva. Retrieved from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/200018/1/9789241565158_eng.pdf. 2015.
[3] Ghana Malaria Action Alert (GMAA). Malaria in Pregnancy: A critical Issue for our Survival. 1 (II), February, 2010.
[4] S. S. Dellicour, A. J. Tatem, C. A. Guerr, R. W. Snow, and F. O. ter Kuile. Quantifying the number of pregnancies at risk of malaria: A demographic study. Plos Medicine, 7, 2010
[5] J. Chuma, V. Okungu, J. Ntwiga, and C. Molyneux. Towards achieving Abuja targets: identifying and addressing barriers to access and use of insecticides treated nets among the poorest populations in Kenya. BMC Public Health. Vol. 10:137, 2010.
[6] Ghana Demographic and Health Survey report, 2008.
[7] M. Mulamba, and B. Mash. Evaluation of malaria prevention strategies during pregnancy in Ndola, Zambia. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine. Vol. 2(1), pp. 159, 2010.
[8] Ministry of Health Strategic Plan for Malaria Control in Ghana 2008-2015, 2009.
[9] World Health Organization (WHO). World Malaria Report, 2013. Geneva, Switzerland. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report_2013/report/en/
[10] National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) annual report, 2009.
[11] P. Guillet, D. Ahnvick, M. K. Cham, M. Neira, M. Zaim, D. Heymann, and K. Mukelabai. Long-lasting treated mosquito nets: a breakthrough in malaria prevention. Bulletin-World Health Organization. Vol. 79(10), pp. 998-998, 2001.
[12] C. Lengeler. Insecticide-treated bed nets and curtains for preventing malaria. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online), 2(CD000363). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000363.pub2 Malar J 2011., 10, 2004.
[13] Z. Birhanu, L. Abebe, M. Sudhakar, G. Dissanayake, Y. Yihdego, G. Alemayehu, and D. Yewhalaw. Access to and use gaps of insecticide-treated nets among communities in Jimma Zone, southwestern Ethiopia: baseline results from malaria education interventions. BMC Public health. Vol. 15, pp. 1304, 2015.
[14] World Health Organization (WHO). World Malaria Report, 2014.
[15] P. Graves, J. Ngondi, J. Hwang, A. Getachew T. Gebre, A. Mosher, and R. Richards. Factors associated with mosquito net use by individuals in households owning nets in Ethiopia. Malaria Journal. Vol. 10, pp. 354, 2011.
[16] J. Pulford, M. Hetzel, M. Bryant, P. Siba, and I. Mueller, I. Reported reasons for not using mosquito net when one is available: a review of the published literature. Malaria Journal. Vol. 10, pp. 83, 2011.
[17] L. P. Toé, O. Skovmand, K. R. Dabiré, A. Diabaté, Y. Diallo, T. R. Guiguemdé, and M. Gruénais. Decreased motivation in the use of insecticide-treated nets in a malaria endemic area in Burkina Faso. Malaria Journal. Vol. 8, pp. 175, 2009.
[18] Ghana Millennium Development Goals report (GMDG), 2010.
[19] Ghana Demographic and Health Survey report, 2014.
[20] Ho Municipal Health Directorate annual report (HMHD), 2014.
[21] G. Degu, and F. Tessema. Biostatistics for Health Science Students: lecture note series. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The Carter Center 9EPHTI, 2005.
[22] J. Cervinskas, P. Berti, R. Desrochers, J. Mandy, and M. Kulkarni. Evaluation of the ownership and the usage of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in Mali eight months after the December 2007 integrated campaign. Ottawa, Canada: Health Bridge, 2008. Retrieved from http://www.healthbridge.ca/Nov30%20Final_Mali_ReportENG.pdf
[23] A. Bennett, S. J. Smith, S. Yambasu, A. Jambai, W. Alemu, A. Kabano, and T. P. Eisele. Household Possession and Use of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets in Sierra Leone 6 Months after a National Mass-Distribution Campaign. PLoS one. Vol. 2, 7(5), 2012.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Wisdom Kudzo Axame, Margaret Kweku, Sedoafia Amelor, Gideon Kye-Duodu, Eric Agboli, et al. (2016). Ownership and Utilization of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) and Factors Associated to Non-utilization Among Pregnant Women in Ho Municipality of Ghana. Central African Journal of Public Health, 2(1), 35-42. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16

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    ACS Style

    Wisdom Kudzo Axame; Margaret Kweku; Sedoafia Amelor; Gideon Kye-Duodu; Eric Agboli, et al. Ownership and Utilization of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) and Factors Associated to Non-utilization Among Pregnant Women in Ho Municipality of Ghana. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2016, 2(1), 35-42. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16

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    AMA Style

    Wisdom Kudzo Axame, Margaret Kweku, Sedoafia Amelor, Gideon Kye-Duodu, Eric Agboli, et al. Ownership and Utilization of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) and Factors Associated to Non-utilization Among Pregnant Women in Ho Municipality of Ghana. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2016;2(1):35-42. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16,
      author = {Wisdom Kudzo Axame and Margaret Kweku and Sedoafia Amelor and Gideon Kye-Duodu and Eric Agboli and Isaac Agbemafle and Wisdom Takramah and Elvis Tarkang and Fred Newton Binka},
      title = {Ownership and Utilization of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) and Factors Associated to Non-utilization Among Pregnant Women in Ho Municipality of Ghana},
      journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {2},
      number = {1},
      pages = {35-42},
      doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20160201.16},
      abstract = {Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting millions of people across the world especially children under five years and pregnant women. As part of the preventive strategies to combat malaria in pregnant women, free Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) are given to them at Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics. This study assessed the ownership and utilization of LLINs and association between knowledge and utilization of LLINs among pregnant women in the Ho Municipality. Methods: In March 2016, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in six ANC clinics in Ho the municipal and regional capital of Volta Region. All six ANC clinics in the regional capital were included. Proportionate sampling was used to determine subjects needed from each facility. All eligible pregnant women present at the time of visit to the facility were conveniently used. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the categorical data whilst t test was used for the quantitative variables. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the relationships and associations between the dependent and independent variables. Results: A total of 355 pregnant women with mean age 27.8 ± 5.5 years were interviewed. Ownership of LLIN was 81.4% while usage was 42.5%. Level of education significantly influenced LLIN ownership (p=0.003) and utilization (0.020). The main barriers to LLIN utilization were inconvenience due to heat (77.7%), lack of ownership of LLIN (12.9%) and absence of mosquitoes (4.3%). Knowledge on LLINs was high (73%). Conclusion: Ownership of LLIN was high but utilization was very low. Over a quarter (27%) of the pregnant women had moderate knowledge on LLINs. This if left unchecked can have negative consequences on the health of these women and their unborn babies. Recommendations: Behaviour change communication strategies on LLIN use should be further targeted to improve LLIN utilization among pregnant women.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Ownership and Utilization of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) and Factors Associated to Non-utilization Among Pregnant Women in Ho Municipality of Ghana
    AU  - Wisdom Kudzo Axame
    AU  - Margaret Kweku
    AU  - Sedoafia Amelor
    AU  - Gideon Kye-Duodu
    AU  - Eric Agboli
    AU  - Isaac Agbemafle
    AU  - Wisdom Takramah
    AU  - Elvis Tarkang
    AU  - Fred Newton Binka
    Y1  - 2016/10/14
    PY  - 2016
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16
    DO  - 10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16
    T2  - Central African Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Central African Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Central African Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 35
    EP  - 42
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-5781
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20160201.16
    AB  - Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting millions of people across the world especially children under five years and pregnant women. As part of the preventive strategies to combat malaria in pregnant women, free Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) are given to them at Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics. This study assessed the ownership and utilization of LLINs and association between knowledge and utilization of LLINs among pregnant women in the Ho Municipality. Methods: In March 2016, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in six ANC clinics in Ho the municipal and regional capital of Volta Region. All six ANC clinics in the regional capital were included. Proportionate sampling was used to determine subjects needed from each facility. All eligible pregnant women present at the time of visit to the facility were conveniently used. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the categorical data whilst t test was used for the quantitative variables. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the relationships and associations between the dependent and independent variables. Results: A total of 355 pregnant women with mean age 27.8 ± 5.5 years were interviewed. Ownership of LLIN was 81.4% while usage was 42.5%. Level of education significantly influenced LLIN ownership (p=0.003) and utilization (0.020). The main barriers to LLIN utilization were inconvenience due to heat (77.7%), lack of ownership of LLIN (12.9%) and absence of mosquitoes (4.3%). Knowledge on LLINs was high (73%). Conclusion: Ownership of LLIN was high but utilization was very low. Over a quarter (27%) of the pregnant women had moderate knowledge on LLINs. This if left unchecked can have negative consequences on the health of these women and their unborn babies. Recommendations: Behaviour change communication strategies on LLIN use should be further targeted to improve LLIN utilization among pregnant women.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Department of Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Department of Population and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

  • Office of the Vice Chancellor, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

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