Perception and utilization of long lasting insecticidal nets among primary healthcare workers in osun state, Nigeria
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Date
2015-04
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Obafemi Awolowo University
Abstract
This study assessed the knowledge of primary healthcare workers in Osun State on Malaria and long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) as a preventive strategy, and it assessed their attitude towards LLIN. It further determined the level of utilization of LLIN and other Malaria preventive strategies and ascertained the determinants of utilization of LLIN among the primary healthcare workers. This was with a view to providing a better understanding of the knowledge, attitude and practices of these healthcare workers in relation to malaria prevention with LLINs and the factors associated with it.
This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in Osun State, Nigeria among selected primary healthcare workers in public healthcare facilities in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs). Two hundred and seventy six respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion (FGD) guide. The quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 while the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis method. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. Permission was obtained from the Medical Officers of Health of the selected LGAs. Individual written consent was also obtained from respondents.
All the respondents (100.0%) had heard about LLIN, however 118 (42.8%) had good knowledge on LLIN and only 77 (27.9%) knew that it had been demonstrated to be effective in Nigeria. One hundred and forty two (51.4%) had negative attitude, while 134 (48.6%) had positive attitude towards the use of LLIN. One hundred and seventy five (63.4%) were currently using LLIN, of which only 79 (45.1%) used LLIN daily and 113 (64.6%) slept under LLIN the night before the survey. Significant determinants of LLIN use were marital status (χ2 = 6.19; p = 0.045), job designation (χ2 = 12.22; p = 0.016) and their attitude towards the use of LLIN (χ2 = 4.04;p = 0.045). The respondents with positive attitude towards LLIN were twice more likely to use LLIN than those with negative attitude (OR I.66; 95% CI 0.98 - 2.81).
The study concluded that less than half of the primary healthcare workers had good knowledge about LLIN, and positive attitude towards LLIN while about three-fifths of the respondents were currently using LLIN. Attitude towards LLIN was an important determinant of its use, and knowledge on LLIN was a determinant of the attitude. It is therefore recommended that there should be training and re-training of healthcare workers on LLIN, to ensure that they have adequate knowledge, which would translate to improved attitude and consequently the utilization of LLIN.
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Keywords
Primary healthcare workers, healthcare workers, Public healthcare facilities, Insecticide, Insecticide net, Healthcare facilities, Primary healthcare, Healthcare
Citation
Adeomiadeleye, A. (2015). Perception and utilization of long lasting insecticidal nets among primary healthcare workers in osun state, Nigeria