Insecticide Treated Nets Utilization and Associated Factors Among Under 5 Children and Pregnant Women in Hawwa Gelan Woreda, Kellem Wollega Zone

Abstract

Malaria remains a substantial public health and development challenge, causing 216 million cases and 445,000 deaths worldwide in 2016. Of these, 81% of the cases and 91% of the deaths occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insecticide-treated nets have been at the forefront of efforts to prevent and control malaria at the community and individual levels. This study conducted a community-based cross-sectional evaluation among 824 households in Hawwa Gelan Woreda, Kellem Wollega Zone, aiming to assess the utilization and associated factors of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (ITNs) among pregnant women and children under 5 years old. The households with eligible individuals were identified through registration, and study units were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. The collected data were entered and cleaned using EPI-Info 7, and then transferred to SPSS version 21 for further analysis. Results revealed that 69.3% of children fewer than 5 years and 74.9% of pregnant women utilized ITNs. Notably, educational status was significantly associated with ITN use in both children under 5 years (AOR=1.76, 95%CI=1.17-2.65) and pregnant women (AOR=3.26, 95%CI=1.62-6.56). Moreover, rural residence was a noteworthy factor influencing ITN utilization in children under 5 years old (AOR=7.21, 95%CI=3.11-16.68). The findings signify the need for targeted community sensitization programs, particularly emphasizing the proper installation and use of ITNs, especially among children under 5 years and pregnant women, carried out by primary healthcare units and district health extension workers.