Abstract:
Background:It Has Proven To Be Highly effective in preventing malaria . It can
reduce malaria transmission by up to 90% and avert upto 44% of all cause malaria in ch ildren less than five years .Many sub Saharan countries are rapidly increasing ITN cover age to control malaria however there is paucity of data on the use of those ITN and the factors affecting their use .
Aim:To assess knowledge, use and factors affecting use of ITN in Enugu Metropolis.
Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study of the use of ITNs for under-five
children amongst their caregivers from health facilities in the three local governments that make up Enugu Metropolis . Relevant data e.g. level of education, type of a ccommodation, the last time ITN wa s u sed etc.wa s obtained from care givers of under-five children using a questionnaire and responses analyzed.
Results: Net ownership rate in the metropolis was 85.6%. Mean possession rate of ITN was 4.8ITN per household.Awareness of ITN was 93. 8%. About 93 .8% of the respondents knew ITN was used for protection against rnosqiuto bites . 53.9% of the respondents use ITN. Educational status of the care giver and that of the head of household was the most consistent factor affecting ITN use.(p=O.OO 1)
Conclusion: The level of awareness and knowledge of ITN among caregivers of Under-fives in Enugu metropolis is good, also their use of ITN for their under fives is fairly good . Educational status of these caregivers determined their use of ITN for their under-five children .
Recommendation: there should be increased efforts at achieving education for all in order to reduce child morbidity and mortality due to malaria to be able to achieve MDG 4.
