1. Malaria is a highly prevalent disease in the tropics. 300-500 million clinical cases 1.5-2.7 million deaths globally each year The World Health Organization (WHO) policy recommending the free distribution of lasting insecticide treated bed nets (ITN), targeting all age groups, was adopted by Nigeria in 2009. The purpose of this study is to assess the Malaria related knowledge, attitude and practices and insecticide treated net (ITN) use amongst pregnant women and nursing mothers in Oji River Local Government Area (LGA). This study was needed because malaria is highly endemic in Nigeria ITNs are a practical tool for malaria control, but utilization is still very low. Objectives 1.Assess malaria-related knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among pregnant women and nursing mothers 2.Determine the mosquito knowledge and prevention practices 3.Assess the ITN knowledge, attitude and practices among this population. Methods Conclusions The Use of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets to Prevent Malaria Tochi Iroku-Malize MD MPH, Theresa Madubuko MBBS MSc, Emmanuel Nwala, William Onyebeke MD, Emmanuel Igbo a collaboration between Oji River-USA Malaria Initiative & Hofstra-NSLIJ School of Medicine Dept of Family Medicine The Oji River – USA Malaria Initiative is a non governmental organization that seeks to prevent and reduce the incidence of malaria in the Oji River Local Government Area (LGA) through distribution of long lasting ITNs to pregnant women and nursing mothers. A total of 230 ITNs were distributed to two communities (Achi and Awlaw) and pre and post questionnaires were administered. Verbal and written consent obtained prior to study. Protocol Met with the leader of the community prior to fieldwork. Two day fieldwork study at each local school compound. Plastic bucket souvenirs distributed to each participant. Study Design: Self administered structured questionnaire with close ended questions. (BITNET project adaptation) Information collected Socio-economic status Education Mosquito-prevention practices Perception of malaria, it’s treatment and ITN use. ITNs were distributed to the population and a malaria health talk was given. Three months later a post- distribution questionnaire was given regarding ITN use. Bibliography 1.WHO Guidelines on the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets: For the prevention and control of Malaria in Africa. Trial ed, 2001. p. 1-8 2.WHO. Implementation of the global health strategy. Report of a WHO study group on the implementation of the global plan of action for malaria control 1993-2000. Technical Report Series No. 839. WHO, Geneva, 1993 3.Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH). Malaria Control in Africa in the New Millennium. Abuja: FMOH 2000 4.UNICEF. Rolling Back Malaria. New York: UNICEF 1999 5.Malaria Supplement: Africa Health. Sept 2000. p. 18-20 6.Amajo CN. ITN for malaria control in Nigerian communities: In ESN-Insects and Man in the new Millennium. The Nigerian perspective (an occasional publication); 2002. p. 120 7.Aniefiok M. Acceptance and use of insecticide treated bednet (ITN) in the Roll Back Malaria Programme in Kuje Area Council, Abuja. J Environ Health 2005; 2:26- 33 8.Brieger WR et al. Monitoring community response to malaria control using insecticide impregnated bed nets, curtains and residual spray at Nsukka, Nigeria. Health Educ Res Theory and Practice 1996;11:133-45. Data Analysis: Data initially processed using EPI INFO software. EPI16, SPSS, STATA and EXCEL software used for analysis. Done concurrently. Triangulation of quantitative data from question Results of Data: 90% of the women Had heard of malaria Have had malaria Felt that malaria was preventable 72% of the women had family members that suffered from malaria that year >70% had used the bed nets the previous night 50% had heard of ITNs on the radio 80% stated that it was not possible to buy a bed net in the area. 1. More knowledge and information about the long lasting ITNs are needed when distributing the bed nets. 2. More information on malaria should be delivered to this population. 3. Long lasting ITNs should be made readily available to the communities. Future Project Expansion Reach out to more villages as is fiscally possible. Incorporation of more health education when distributing nets. Use of videos or mini-plays acted out for education while people wait to fill out questionnaires. Continue to do 2-day fieldwork so as to enable more individuals to participate. Raise funds to make this a monthly event to reach out to a greater population. Involve the media to help deliver the message to a wider audience. Introduction Results Oji River, NIGERIA