Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) Ownership and Utilization among Selected Dwellers of Rural Communities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background of Study: The evidence for the efficacy of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in preventing malaria and its consequences among its users is strong especially in rural areas.

Aim/Objective: This was a cross sectional study designed to assess the level of ownership and utilization of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) among residents of selected rural Communities in Rivers State, South-South, Nigeria.

Methodology: Structured pre – tested questionnaires were administered to 250 volunteer male and female dwellers of the communities, between the ages of 17 to 40 years, to capture information on ownership and utilization of ITNs. Social demographic characteristics of respondents, ownership, consistent use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and reason behind ownership were assessed. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results: The study revealed that 56.4% of the studied population owned ITNs, out of which 33.6% was provided by the government, 17.2% was provided by NGOs while 5.6% was provided by others. The highest rate of utilization 16.4% fell between the age ranges of 31–40. Following the result of this study, 37.6% utilization of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) was observed. The overall ITN utilization rate among rural dwellers was 30.4% for females and 7.2% for males. Reasons for non ITNs utilization includes- chemical irritation (35.5%); heat (51.1%); laziness (7.8%) while no reason (5.7%) was given for non ITNs utilization.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the rate of possession and utilization of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) among rural dwellers as found in this study were low. Public health education needs to be intensified to create more awareness and increase ownership and utilization while making ITNs accessible.