title: Analysis of Insecticide-Treated Net Use by Pregnant Women: Implications for Donor Organizations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) for the prevention of malaria and reduction of mortality and morbidity from mosquito-borne diseases. Although many countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, have adopted this recommendation and distributed bed nets to their inhabitants, the percentage of the population using ITNs remains low.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted with 400 mothers with at least one child under 5 years of age in health zones in the Bandundu province. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using structured pre-coded questionnaires. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were calculated using the SPSS Version 21.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the studied variables, education status (p = 0.013), marital status (p = 0.004), ANC utilization (p = 0.13), suffering from malaria during pregnancy (p = 0.019), and knowledge of the seriousness of malaria (p = 0.013) were significant determinants of the use of ITNs in logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that the regular use of ITNs by women during pregnancy is associated with marital status, attending ANC services, and awareness of the serious nature of malaria. Therefore, education about the risk factors among populations is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Socio-Economic Development Department, Korea International Cooperation Agency, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Mansiangi Mankadi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sarita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhakal
authors.affiliation: Public Health Research and Action Centre (CRASP), Kongo University, Mbanza-Ngungu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Mpaka Kiansiku
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Mbambula Kyelama
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.affiliation: Socio-Economic Development Department, Korea International Cooperation Agency, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Eunju
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Woo
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Nam
keywords: Democratic Republic of Congo; Insecticide-treated nets; KOICA; Malaria; Pregnant women