Assessment Of Utilization Of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Net And Its Associated Factors Among Pregnant Mothers, In Dawo District, Southwest Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

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