KNOWLEDGE AND UTILISATION OF INSECTICIDE- TREATED NET IN THE PREVENTION OF MALARIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ST. PHILOMENA’S CATHOLIC HOSPITAL

Malaria continues to be a major public health and development issue. Pregnant women, their developing fetus, and new babies are all at increased risk of malaria infection, which is a serious public health issue. The most severe symptoms and results of malaria typically affect pregnant women; they include greater rates of miscarriage, intrauterine mortality, early delivery, low-birth- weight infants, and neonatal death. They are also more likely to experience severe anemia and pass away during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of insecticide-treated nets in the prevention of malaria among pregnant women attending St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital, Benin City. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used for this study. The sample size was 262 pregnant women attending antenatal at St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital and a non-probability accidental sampling technique was used with a self-administered questionnaire. Pregnant women in this study were quite knowledgeable about malaria and its causes, prevention, and control. Pregnant women in the study could identify some symptoms and causes of malaria. Only a considerable number of pregnant women in the study had the insecticide-treated net while only a minimal number were making use of it. The primary source of the insecticide-treated net was the government, with the study being carried out at a privately-owned hospital being a potential reason for the rather low ownership of ITNs by pregnant women. There was a moderate level of knowledge of malaria and ITN among pregnant women. However, there was poor utilization of ITNs in the prevention of malaria among pregnant women. Barriers to the use of insecticide treated nets ranged from a lack of awareness to insecticide-treated nets being uncomfortable to sleep under.