Prevention of Malaria Among Pregnant Women: The Perceived Effectiveness of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in Maamobi

Abstract

The World Health Organization 2011 World Malaria Report demonstrates the enormity of the burden of malaria, with 216 million cases and 655,000 deaths attributable to this mosquito-transmitted parasite in 2010 alone. Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest burden of malarial disease, with over 90% of the world’s malaria- related deaths occurring in this region. About 25 million pregnant women are currently at risk of malaria and according to the WHO, malaria accounts for over 10,000 maternal and 20,000 neonatal deaths per year (WHO, 2009b). The study was conducted at the Maamobi General Hospital. A purposive sampling was used to select the pregnant women but with regards to their ability and willingness to provide the type of information that was sought through each research instrument. Ethical clearance was obtained from the management of the Maamobi General Hospital before commencement of the study. Most of the respondents’ knowledge about malaria was very high. The respondents in this study were able to enumerate several ways by which malaria could be prevented. However, the pregnant women’s awareness on other means of preventing malaria apart from the use of LLINs, like good personal and clean environmental hygiene was relatively less. The study recommends that National education on LLIN should be intensified through the media to increase awareness on benefits and effectiveness of nets so as to enhance malaria prevention.

Keywords: Pregnant women, malaria, long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), Maamobi