Abstract:
Introduction: The use of long-lasting insecticide-treated net is one of the most effective malaria
prevention strategies, particularly among pregnant women. It has mosquito-killing, repellent, and
physical barrier properties. Even when pregnant women are given priority, not all nets owned by
households are used by pregnant women. Therefore, malaria infection during pregnancy poses a
serious risk to the mother, the fetus, and the neonate. Objective: This study aimed to assess the utilization of long-lasting insecticide-treated net and
its associated factors among pregnant mothers in Dawo district, Southwest Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Dawo district, Southwest
Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, from March to April 2023. A total of 353 pregnant women were chosen
through simple random sampling and interviewed face-to-face using a structured and pre-tested
questionnaire. Before being exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version
23, data were coded and entered into EPIDATA version 4.6. The study examined the prevalence
of long-lasting insecticide-treated net use among pregnant women in Dawo district using
descriptive statistics. Analytical statistics, such as bivariable and multivariable logistic regression
analysis, were used to determine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Statistical significance was determined using p values less than 0.05 and adjusted odd ratios with
95% confidence intervals. Results: Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets were utilized by 55.5% (95% CI: 50.4%–60.7%)
of all pregnant participants in the study, which was below the national target. Pregnant women
who have ANC contact for current pregnancy (AOR = 4.66, 95% CI: 1.95, 11.10), CBHI
enrollment (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.38, 4.11), having under-five-year-old children (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.62, 4.43), understanding that malaria poses a risk to fetuses (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI:
1.26, 8.41), and LLITNs access (AOR = 12.47, 95% CI: 3.98, 39.08),were factors significantly
associated with LLITN utilization. Conclusion: The utilization of LLITNs is relatively low. ANC contact for current pregnancy, CBHI enrollment, having under-5-year-old children, having a high income, and understanding
that malaria poses a risk to fetuses were factors significantly associated with LLITN utilization
among pregnant
