The Effect of Mass Media Campaign on the Use of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets among Pregnant Women in Nigeria.
Background. Malaria during pregnancy is a major public health problem in Nigeria especially in malaria-endemic areas. It increases the risk of low birth weight and child/maternal morbidity/mortality. This paper addresses the impact of radio campaigns on the use of insecticide-treated bed nets among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods. A total of 2,348 pregnant women were interviewed during the survey across 21 of Nigeria's 36 states. Respondents were selected through a multistage sampling technique. Analysis was based on multivariate logistic regression. Results. Respondents who knew that sleeping under ITN prevents malaria were 3.2 times more likely to sleep under net (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 2.28 to 4.33; P < 0.0001). Those who listened to radio are also about 1.6 times more likely to use ITN (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.28; P = 0.020), while respondents who had heard of a specific sponsored radio campaign on ITN are 1.53 times more likely to use a bed net (P = 0.019). Conclusion. Pregnant women who listened to mass media campaigns were more likely to adopt strategies to protect themselves from malaria. Therefore, behavior change communication messages that are aimed at promoting net use and antenatal attendance are necessary in combating malaria.
Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 25, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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Ankomah
Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, PMB 5023, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria.
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Adebayo
PLAN-Health Project, Management Sciences for Health, P.O. Box 240, Kubwa, Abuja, Nigeria.
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Arogundade
Technical Services Directorate, Society for Family Health, PMB 5116, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria.
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Anyanti
Society for Family Health, PMB 5116, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria.
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Nwokolo
Malaria Action Program for States, PMB 44, Abuja, Nigeria.
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Inyang
Malaria Action Program for States, PMB 44, Abuja, Nigeria.
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Ipadeola
University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
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Meremiku