Effectiveness of a health education intervention on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets for the prevention of malaria in pregnant women of Pakistan: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background </jats:bold>About one quarter of pregnant women in the population of Pakistan are using long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) for prevention of malaria. Past research reported that adequate information and education would act as mediator to change behaviour among patients for prevention of malaria infection. The effective use of LLINs would contribute to reduction of disease burden caused by malaria. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of health education on the adoption of LLINs among pregnant women living in Tharparkar, a remote district in Sindh Province, Pakistan.<jats:bold>Methods </jats:bold>A quasi-experimental study design with control and intervention groups was conducted with 200 pregnant women (100 in each group). Women in the intervention group were provided with health education sessions on malaria for 12 weeks, while those in the control group obtained routine information from lady health workers (LHWs). Pre- and post-intervention assessment was done of knowledge about malaria and use of LLIN, which was statistically analysed using descriptive statistics and difference in difference (DID) multivariable regression analysis to test effectiveness of the intervention.<jats:bold>Results </jats:bold>Baseline was conducted with 200 pregnant women. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups with slight differences in age, education, income, type of latrine, and source of drinking water. There were no significant differences between mean knowledge and use of LLINs scores between groups at baseline. However, the estimated DID value after the intervention was 4.170 (p &lt;0.01) and represents an increase in scores of knowledge in the intervention group compared to control. Similarly DID value of 3.360 (p &lt;0.05) showed an increase in use of LLINs score after the intervention which was significant, showing that the intervention had a positive effect.<jats:bold>Conclusions </jats:bold>Results proved that health education could be an effective intervention for improving knowledge and usage of LLINs among pregnant women for the prevention of malaria. Such educational interventions have a positive potential to be implemented at larger scale by incorporating them into routine health sessions provided by health workers.</jats:p>

Effectiveness of health education intervention on diabetes mellitus among the teachers working in public sector schools of Pakistan

“…However, prior to this intervention, participants had limited knowledge about diabetes, which statistically improved after giving the health education sessions at their work place. These findings were supported by the interventional studies conducted in similar settings, where it has been proved that the health education can change individual's knowledge and behaviours to prevent certain diseases and infections [1,18,21,22]. Moreover, literature has also revealed the similar findings that the health literacy is an important strategy used for the better prevention against non-communicable diseases in the community [6,7,[11][12][13][14][15].…”

Effect of malaria preventive education on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets among pregnant females in a Teaching Hospital in Osun state, south-west Nigeria

“…Another important finding of this study was an increase in the use of LLINs following malaria preventive education. Similarly, there are studies that have shown increase in the use of LLINs when respondents received educational activity ( Kumar et al, 2020 ; Ahmadi et al, 2012 ; Envuladu et al, 2012 ). Some factors that affect LLINs utilization in pregnancies include educational status, age groups, employment status and income level ( Nkoka et al, 2018 ).…”

“…It is noteworthy that education intervention had been observed by various studies as a valuable tool in malaria prevention and control in SSA ( Protopopoff et al, 2007 ). Results of a recent study done by Kumar et al in Pakistan suggested that educational intervention is an effective means of improving malaria knowledge and LLINs use among pregnant women ( Kumar et al, 2020 ). Similarly, a study done among nursing mothers by Amoran in Ogun state, south-west, Nigeria showed that education intervention remain effective in influencing behaviour change and improving knowledge of malaria and benefits of LLIN use ( Amoran, 2013 ).…”

Modelling malaria in southernmost provinces of Thailand: a two-step process for analysis of highly right-skewed data with a large proportion of zeros

“…They have a higher chance to be bitten by a mosquito, especially for those who work in forestry, agriculture, or social services, as well as in plantations or agriculture resulting in a higher occurrence of malaria [27,28]. Other risks may arise from the improper use of insecticide-treated nets or long-lasting insecticidal nets [29][30][31]. Defensive strategies or exposure to malaria prevention techniques used in national malaria control initiatives at the household level may have an impact on lowering the occurrence of malaria [12].…”