Abstract:
Background: Malaria in pregnancy is a major public health concern, contributing to neonatal
and maternal deaths, maternal anemia, low birth weight and it is the single most common cause
of spontaneous abortion. Free distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) for households in
malarious areas is currently underway in Ethiopia to prevent malaria. However adequate followup of its status and utilization is lacking.
Objective: To determine insecticide treated nets utilization and associated factors among
pregnant women in East Badewacho District, in 2015.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was employed from March 1 to 30,
2015. The data was collected by using interviewer administered questionnaire from a total of 340
pregnant women in 12 kebeles. Simple random sampling was carried out to select the samples.
EPI-DATA version 3.1 was used for entry and then exported to SPSS version 16.0 for further
statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics, binary and multiple logistic regressions were employed
and the results were discussed. Adjusted odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence
intervals were used to assess the association between independent and outcome Variables in the
multiple logistics regression with P-value of (<0.05).
RESULT: Possession of at least one LLIN was 90%, but only 18.6% of households had
sufficient access to LLINs. 71.5% of respondents were slept under LLINs the previous night.
The mean scores of: perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy were
72.90, 71.88, 79.06, 56.33 and 90.02 respectively and all were positively associated with use of
ITNs. Comprehensive knowledge of malaria at [AOR, 95%CI, 1.03(1.02, 1.05)], social support
regarding use of ITN at [AOR, 95%CI, 1.02(1.01. 1.04)], household access to LLINs at [AOR,
95%CI, 2.03(1.71, 5.91)], age of ITNs at[AOR, 95%CI, 1.35(1.33, 5.45)] and condition of ITNs
at [AOR, 95%CI, .16(.05, .43)] were significantly associated with LLINs utilization (p.v<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Utilization of LLINs was found to be appealing. The factors associated with
nonuse were: lack of ITN, household access, low social support, lack of knowledge on malaria
prevention and control measures, misconceptions and unfavorable beliefs about ITNs. So it is
important to avail ITNs, BCC and increasing awareness on family support to ITNs utilization.
