Level of Awareness and Use of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria

This was a cross sectional study designed to assess the level of awareness, ownership and use of
insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) by pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Anambra state,
South Eastern Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was self administered to 700 volunteer pregnant
women aged 17 to 45 years recruited during routine antenatal care in selected hospitals in the study
area to capture information on use of ITNs. The information obtained was analyzed using simple
ratios, percentages and charts. The result showed that 651 (93%) of the women were fully aware
of the use of ITNs during pregnancy, 420 (60%) owned ITNs in their homes while only 308 (46%)
used the nets partially or wholly, and 392 (56%) never used the nets. The level of awareness of
pregnant women concerning the use of ITNs was high while actual ownership and use was low.
Public health education needs to be intensified to create more awareness and increase ownership
and use.