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>Background: About one quarter pregnant women population were using long lasting insecticides treated bed nets in Pakistan for prevention of malaria.. Past research has reported that adequate information and education could act as mediator to change the behavior among patients for prevention of malaria infection. Hence, the effective use of LLINs could contribute in reduction of disease burden caused by malaria. Aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of health education on adoption of LLINs among pregnant women living in a remote district Tharparkar Sindh Pakistan. Methods: A Quasi-experimental study design with control and intervention group was conducted with 200 pregnant women (100in each group). Women in intervention group were provided with health education sessions on malaria for 12 weeks while those in control group obtained routine information by lady health workers (LHWs). Pre and post intervention assessment was done for knowledge about malaria and use of LLINs; and was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and difference in difference (DID) multivariable regression analysis to test the effectiveness of intervention. Results: 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 the mean knowledge and use of LLINs scores between groups at baseline. However, the estimated difference-in-difference value after the intervention was 4.170 (p &lt;0.01) represents an increase in scores of knowledge in the intervention group as compared to control. Similarly difference-in-difference value of 3.360 (p &lt;0.05) showed an increase in use of LLINs score after the intervention which was significant therefore showing that the intervention had a positive effect. Conclusions: Results proved that health education could be an effective intervention for improving knowledge and usage of LLINs among pregnant women for prevention of malaria. Therefore, 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>