The Role of Health Education in improving the Utilization of Insecticide treated net in Malaria Control among

Abstract

This study was conducted in El-hosh in El Gazira state, in order to assess the role of Health Education in improving knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers towards the utilization of insecticide treated nets in malaria control. A sample size of 329houses hold was determined using the following formula:n z2xpxq d2 The sample was selected randomly from the nine residential area. The intervention was carried out using lectures, small group discussion, posters and messages for a period of six months. and it was carried out in El-hosh high secondary school for girls and from house to house. The pretest was conducted using questionnaire to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of Mothers toward ITNs utility. posttest was also conducted using the same questionnaire to document effectiveness of the intervention, three months after intervention. Data were collected using questionnaire to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of Mothers toward ITNs utility. Data were analysed manually using X2 test and the results were demonstrated in tables and figures. The most important results showed that: Knowledge of Mothers about ITNs benefit was (77.3%) in pre-intervention .In post intervention stage became (80%) (significant), about the suitable time for erecting ITNs was (53%) before intervention, It become (66%) in post intervention phase (significant), about the effect of washing to nets effectiveness was (54%) before intervention and in post intervention phase increased to (59.2%) (not significant). The rate of Attitude of Mothers who think that the size of ITNs is unsuitable was (45%) before intervention, and become (40%) in post intervention stage(significant). XIII Mothers’ practice towards keeping ITNs inside room was (69%), and in post intervention stage became (93%) (significant), About folding ITNs when keeping it was (56.7%) before intervention, It became (70.3%) in post intervention phase(significant) . And about erecting ITNs on sticks when using it was (80.3%) before intervention, It increased in post intervention phase to (97.9%) (significant). The rate of Mothers who don’t re- treat their nets after they washed it frequency washings was (60%), before intervention, it became (50%) after intervention process(significant). The rate of using ITNs had increased from (43.2%) before intervention process to (5 1%) after intervention process (significant). Finally the study recommended the following: 1. To establish and continue health educations programme to increase and promote the knowledge and awareness of the mothers towards ITNs utilization. 2. To teach the utilizers about how to re-treat the net after frequency washings . 3. T continue provision of ITNs freely to the community to increase the rate of utilization.