KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF INSECTICIDE TREATED MOSQUITO NETS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF ZENU IN KPONG KATAMASU DISTRICT

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of the use of insecticide treated nets of the people of Zenu. A cross -sectional survey was employed as a framework and a total of 150 participants, comprising of 50 participants from each town of Zenu (Obaatan, School Junction and Zenu lorry station) with an average age of 16 to 61 and above years were randomly sampled for the study. The data was collected and analyzed using stratified random sampling technique. The study sought to assess; knowledge level of the people on the use of insecticide treated net of Zenu township stated that 139(92.7%) of them have heard of ITNs while 11(7.3%) have not heard of ITNs. The attitude and practice of the people towards the use of insecticide treated nets brought to light that 49(43%) of the people of Zenu township sleep in ITNs everyday throughout the night, 10(9%) said only part of the night and 54(48%) of them said sometimes. Findings of the study indicated that the people have an appreciable knowledge about malaria and also the Insecticide Treated Nets. It can also be said that, there is a good perception about the ITNs. Even though they have a good perception about ITNs, they do not have good attitude towards the use of ITNs therefore, they are not practicing the use of ITNs with the needed seriousness. In conclusion, the study identified correlation between knowledge, attitude and practice among people of Zenu township therefore it may be appropriate for the Zenu District and Health Directorate to put measures in place to organize more health education on the need to use Insecticide treated nets to prevent malaria.