Awareness and utilization of insecticide treated nets for malaria prevention in Igbomotoru community in southern IJAW local government area of Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Background: The research work was to investigate the level of awareness and utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) for malaria prevention in Igbomotoru Community in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Five research objectives include to investigate the level of awareness on ITN as a preventive measure for malaria, investigate the number of homes in possession of ITN, investigate the level of utilization of ITN for malaria prevention, and investigate reasons for non-utilization if any. Method: A descriptive survey design was adopted with a self-structured questionnaire on the utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets for Malaria prevention for data collection. 400 respondents from 15years and above comprising of 160 males and 240 females were selected for the study through a simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed with frequency and simple percentages. Result: The study revealed that 262 (65.5%) respondents are aware of ITN as a malaria preventive measure; out of 300 participants who possess ITN in their homes only 100 (33.3%) use ITN while sleeping in the night, 100 (33.3%) use it for fishing and others found it inconveniencing to use ITNs to sleep. Conclusion: There is a need for public health personnel to organize programs that will create awareness on the purpose and utilization of ITN as a malaria preventive measure in Igbomotoru community. All stakeholders should be responsible for the provision of ITNs to individuals most especially in the pregnant women and children in Riverine areas of Bayelsa State.