Appraisal of Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets Disrtibuted by Osun State Government for Malaria Prevention among Pregnant and Nursing Mothers in Ilesa Metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria

The study appraised the utilization of Insecticide Treated NETs distributed by the Osun State Government for the prevention of Malaria among pregnant and nursing mothers in Ilesa Metropolis. Three research questions were raised with their corresponding hypotheses. Data were collected from four hundred (400) respondents through a self-designed questionnaire. The instrument was validated and a reliability co-efficient of 0.87 was obtained through the use of Peason Product Moment correlation co-efficient formula at 0.05 Alpha level of significance. Findings revealed that the ITNs were effectively and correctly utilized, barriers to effective utilization were ignored. Incidence of malaria related complications in pregnancy and morbidity were greatly reduced. Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentages and inferential statistics – SPSS. Based on the findings, therefore, the following recommendations were made: Osun State Government should continue with the initiative of free distribution of ITNs across the state, sensitization campaign on the correct utilization of ITNs should be carried out through various channels – mass media, postal, jingles etc., seminars and workshops should be organized by NGOs and Government health agencies on the correct utilization of ITNs.