INSECTICIDE TREATED BED NET UTILIZATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN DIRE DAWA, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Malaria contributes a tremendous public health problem across the globe. Every year at least 30 million women in malarious areas of Africa become pregnant. Malaria infection during pregnancy is an enormous public health issues, with substantial risks for the mother, her fetus and the neonate. Malaria during pregnancy is responsible for 5–12% of all Low birth weight. Theobjective of this study was to assess Insecticide Treated Bed Net Utilization and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Dire Dawa. . Methods:A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in both urban and rural areas of Dire Dawa administration from March 1-20/2017. A total of 493 pregnant women were involved in the study using multistage sampling method with random selected of the study population from randomly selected kebeles. The data were collected by interviewing pregnant women and direct observation of LLINs conditions and use by health professional that graduated at minimum of Diploma. Multivariate analysis was used to determine independent predictors of long last insecticide treated bed net use. Results:Of the total 505 expected participant, 493 pregnant women with at least one long last insecticide treated bed net were involved in the study which makes a response rate of (97.6%). According to the survey a total of 232(47.1%) pregnant women were utilized among those who possessed long last insecticide treated bed net. having recent information and good knowledge about malaria and long last insecticide treated bed net utilization (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.4- 3.4)and (AOR=2.7, 95% CI, 1.6-4.7) respectively were positively influence utilization of long last insecticide treated bed nets. Conclusion: Although long last insecticide treated bed net ownership in the study area was moderate (68%), a significant proportion 43% of them didn’t slept under it during the previous night of the survey. Thus, they are at risk of malaria infection. Exposure for recent information and having good knowledge about malaria and long last insecticide treated bed net utilization were the significant predictors of net use. Thus, continues and tailored health information xii dissemination is very important to enhance bed net use and for prevention of malaria infection.