Malaria remains one of the most important causes of maternal and child morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan African, despite the availability of effective intervention. Pregnant women are susceptible to symptomatic malaria due to the invasion of the placenta by Plasmodium. There are public health endeavours in promoting use of insecticide treated nets (ITNS), but there is dearth of data on effectiveness of such endeavour. This narrative review looks briefly at the historical background of use of ITNS against malaria, Government policy and program evaluation process on free ITNS for vulnerable groups, relevance of knowledge in use of insecticide treated nets among pregnant mothers, and the role of attitude and practice on effective use of ITNS in prevention of malaria. There is evidence that relatively few people in high-risk regions access and use ITNS. The low utilization of ITNs attributable to perceived cost, inability to adjust to size of the beds, and side-effects heat and ventilation when slept under it.
Background: There has been a roll back mosquito (RBM) program in Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the effectiveness and utilization of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) among pregnant women in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive survey design was used to assess usage and patient experience. A total of 250 completed survey were returned out of 260 questionnaires distributed. Statistical analysis was in frequency counts and percentages.Results: Over 55% of respondents are aware that the best way to prevent malaria in pregnancy is to always sleep in ITNs. 20% of the respondents lack ITNs due to non-availability in the clinic or unaffordability in the market. Among those that own ITNs, only 31% utilize it every day. Suffocation and skin irritation were reasons for non-utilization. On effectiveness, among those who use their ITNs, 24.3% never suffered malaria or mosquito bite.Conclusions: ITNs utilization seems to have reached the RBM target. However, the study shows patient experience that use of ITNs seems to have limited effectiveness in prevention of malaria during pregnancy, while affordances and quality are barriers to utility. Ministry of Health and especially antenatal and community healthcare workers need to intensify health education campaign to improve attitude and practice of ITNs utility among pregnant mothers. Manufacturers of ITNs also need to improve on the quality of ITNs to reduce skin irritation or suffocation in order to encourage usage among pregnant mothers.
Pregnant mothers and children under five years are exposed to malaria infection. One of the WHO recommendations on prevention of malaria is the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs). The use of ITNs is still low in Nigeria. Is to access challenges and improvement on use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and care givers of children under five in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers state respectively. Review of articles related to use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and under five years children were adopted using The American Journal of Human Genetics among 28 studies. Malaria is responsible for 30% childhood and 11% maternal mortality despite the availability on use of ITNs. ITNs were 62.8% effective in reducing febrile episodes and 84.1% effective in reducing marked levels of malaria parasitemia. Mass distribution of bed-nets has increase ownership of ITNs resulting to 81.5% in Nigeria. Free ITNs has resulted in universal household ownership but the use of the nets is still very low in Nigeria. Malaria interventions are threatened by pyrethroids used in all ITNs. Irritation and suffocation are challenges to utilization of ITNs. In health promotion on use of ITNs, manufacturers’ improvement on quality of ITNs is an epidemiological factor that could enhance the use among the vulnerable groups.
The eyes being the most delicate organs as well as the window of the body to the world make it dysfunction a public health problem. The aim of this study is to review the epidemiology of visual impairment in relation to anaemia, antioxidant vitamins and nutritional status in order to identify and proffer appropriate solution to various factors associated with visual impairment. A systematic review and evaluation of published literatures globally, in sub Saharan Africa and in Nigeria was done through web search and Mendeley reference library. Findings showed that visual impairment increases with increase in age. Gender, race, geographical location, literacy level, income and culture are social demographic factors that influence visual impairment. Refractive error, cataract, glaucoma and age-related macula degeneration (ARMD) are the most common causes of visual impairment worldwide. Over 80% of visual impairment are preventable. Hence, early detection and prompt treatment especially at the primary health care level is the most effective ways to prevent visual impairment.
One of the strategies of Primary Health Care (PHC) is the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) against malaria among pregnant mothers and care givers of children under five years. The agency for PHC in Nigeria is the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). The objective of this narrative review is to identify the role of PHC providers in promoting the use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and care givers of children under five years. Method was by review of 30 published literatures on PHC; as it relates to use of ITNs. Findings indicate that most pregnant mothers and care-givers of children under five years in Nigeria are aware that the best option to prevent malaria infection is by use of ITNs. Healthcare providers participate in mass distribution of ITNs. There is increase nets ownership in households. Supervisory guidance influences use of ITNs. However, there is evidence of slow uptake of ITNs due to resistance to behavioural change. Also, the knowledge of pregnant women concerning ITNs use was good, but the attitudes and practices were poor. The implication is that health promotion need to be enhanced among both PHC workers and community leaders on use of ITNs. Primary healthcare workers may need to be motivated to do their job in terms of promoting the use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and carers of children under five years.
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