Malaria in pregnancy poses a serious public health threat in Nigeria due to its antecedent adverse consequences on the mother and her foetus. It can be prevented through the correct and consistent use of insecticide treated mosquito nets. However, its use is deficient among pregnant women I Nigeria. Therefore, this study explores the various factors that influence the use of insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in Nigeria.
The objective of this study is to systematically appraise primary studies on the utilization of insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in Nigeria and to formulate a concept map of these factors.
This study utilized systematic review procedures although it has a narrower scope. Literature search was conducted across four electronic databases namely; MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Knowledge and BioMed. In addition, the references of articles were further examined to identify articles which may not have been captured in the initial search. A total hit count of 3305 was arrived at and seven high quality studies were selected for critical and systematic appraisal after all relevant studies were subjected to a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
This study found that several issues have been identified as factors that influence the utilization of insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in Nigeria. However, the main factors include; socioeconomic and demographic factors, level of knowledge about malaria and its consequences, level of misconceptions about malaria, access to antenatal care facilities and availability of the mosquito nets. However, the socioeconomic class of the pregnant woman is the strongest predictor of utilization as it directly or indirectly influences other factors.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEW
1.2 BACKGROUND
1.3 BURDEN AND CONSEQUENCES OF MALARIA IN PREGNANCY
1.4 MALARIA CONTROL STRATEGIES IN PREGNANT WOMEN
1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTION
1.7 AIMS OF THE STUDY
1.8 CHAPTER SUMMARY
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEW
2.2 CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION AND LITERATURE SEARCH METHOD
2.3 EVOLUTION OF POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR MALARIA PREVENTION AND CONTROL
2.4 CURRENT STRATEGIES FOR MALARIA PREVENTION AND CONTROL
2.4.1 VECTOR CONTROL
2.4.1.1 Insecticide-treated Mosquito Nets
2.4.1.2 Indoor Residual Spray (IRS)
2.4.2 EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
2.4.3 INTERMITTENT PREVENTIVE TREATMENT IN PREGNANCY (IPTs)
2.5 BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE THEORIES
2.6 FACTORS INFLUENCING ITN USE BY PREGNANT WOMEN
2.6.1 Knowledge of the health condition
2.6.2 Socio-demographic Factors
2.6.3 Socio-economic Factors
2.6.4 Education
2.6.5 Misconceptions
2.6.6 Access/Availability
2.6.7 Others
2.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEW
3.2 STUDY DESIGN AND PHILOSOPHY
3.2.1 Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
3.2.2 Systematic Reviews (SRs) and Evidence-Based Practice
3.2.3 Advantages of Systematic Reviews
2.2.4 Limitations of Systematic Reviews
2.2.4 Secondary Data Analysis
3.3 METHODS
3.3.1 Search Strategy
3.3.2 Conducting the Search
3.3.3 Refining the Search
3.3.3.1 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
3.3.4 Final Selection of Seven Studies
3.3.5 Quality Assessment
3.4 DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
3.5 CHAPTER SUMMARY
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS
4.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEW
4.2 DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
4.3 RESULTS
4.3.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF APPRAISED STUDIES
4.3.1.1 Overview of study designs and methods
4.3.1.2 Location /Context setting
4.3.1.3 Sampling and Population Characteristics
4.3.1.4 Data collection
4.3.1.5 Approaches to data analysis
4.3.1.6 Ethics
4.4 OVERVIEW OF STUDY FINDINGS
4.4.1 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS
4.4.2 LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE
4.4.3 SOCIO- ECONOMIC FACTORS
4.4.4 MISCONCEPTIONS
4.4.5 OTHERS
4.5 CHAPTER SUMMARY
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
5.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEW
5.2 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
5.2.1 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS
5.2.2 LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE
5.2.3 SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS
5.2.4 MISCONCEPTIONS
5.2.5 ACCESS/AVAILABILITY
5.3 DISCUSSION IN RELATION TO RESEARCH QUESTION AND OBJECTIVES
5.4 CHAPTER SUMMARY
CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION
6.1 CHAPTER SUMMARY
6.2 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
6.3 GAPS IN LITERATURE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY
6.4 IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY WITH REGARDS TO POLICY AND PRACTICE
6.5 LIMITATIONS OF THE REVIEW
6.6 REFLEXIVITY
6.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY
Objectives and Research Themes
This dissertation aims to systematically appraise existing primary research to identify the various factors that influence the utilization of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) among pregnant women in Nigeria, ultimately formulating a conceptual map of these determinants.
- Socio-demographic and socio-economic determinants of ITN utilization.
- Influence of knowledge levels and public misconceptions regarding malaria and ITN safety.
- Role of access to antenatal care facilities and availability of malaria prevention tools.
- Evaluation of evidence-based practice in the context of Nigerian public health.
- Implications for future policy, healthcare practice, and health education interventions.
Excerpt from the Book
2.6 FACTORS INFLUENCING ITN USE BY PREGNANT WOMEN
Factors that have been identified to influence ITN utilization are numerous but can be broadly categorized into the following; knowledge of the health condition, socio-demographic factors, misconceptions and access.
2.6.1 Knowledge of the health condition
Several studies have identified the presence of correlation between the level of knowledge about malaria and its preventive measures and the utilization of ITNs among pregnant women across varied socio-demographic groups (Russel et al., 2015; Ankomah et al.,2012; Arogundade et al., 2011). Pregnant women generally receive health education including information on malaria prevention and control during antenatal care visits to health facilities (Amako, 2016). This service is generally provided by doctors, nurses, midwives and other auxiliary staff in English language and the local dialect of the community (Fagbamigbe and Idemudia, 2015)
Arogundade et al., (2011) found that one of the key predictors of ITN use among pregnant women in Nigeria is the knowledge that ITN use prevents malaria. Pregnant women who knew about the specific risks of malaria in pregnancy (such as anaemia, low birth weight, abortion) were more likely to use ITNs than those who did not. This is similar to what was obtained by Russel et al., (2015) and Belay and Deressa, (2008). However, Russel et al., (2015) found that despite knowing that mosquitoes cause malaria, only 2.3% of the respondents knew that malaria could result in spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, prematurity or intrauterine growth restriction.
Further evidence has also shown that education and correct knowledge about malaria, its modes of prevention as well as its fatal consequences were found to be significantly associated with increased use (Arogundade et al., 2011; Deressa et al., 2011). However, Aluko and Oluwatosin (2012) found that despite the relatively high knowledge of malaria by the respondents, the use of ITN is significantly low. This has been attributed to the negative attitudes of the respondents to ITN use, poverty or unavailability.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the research context, justifying the need to study factors influencing ITN utilization in Nigeria and defining the study's aims and research questions.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter reviews the literature on malaria prevention policies, behavioural change theories, and identified factors influencing ITN use among pregnant women.
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY: This chapter outlines the study's philosophy, focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and systematic review procedures, including search strategies and quality assessment.
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS: This chapter presents the data extracted from the seven selected primary studies, categorized into themes like socio-demographic, socio-economic, and knowledge-based factors.
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION: This chapter critically discusses the findings, relating them to existing literature and presenting a conceptual map of the interrelated factors affecting ITN utilization.
CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION: This chapter summarizes findings, addresses gaps in the literature, provides recommendations for future study, and outlines policy implications.
Keywords
Malaria, Pregnancy, Nigeria, Insecticide-Treated Nets, ITN, Public Health, Systematic Review, Antenatal Care, Socio-economic Factors, Knowledge, Misconceptions, Evidence-Based Practice, Maternal Health, Malaria Control, Utilization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this dissertation?
The research focuses on identifying the facilitators and inhibitors that affect the utilization of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) among pregnant women in Nigeria.
What are the core themes addressed in the work?
The work covers socio-demographic characteristics, level of knowledge regarding malaria, common misconceptions, socio-economic factors, and access to healthcare services.
What is the central research question?
The study seeks to answer: "What factors influence the utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) among pregnant women in Nigeria?"
Which scientific methods were applied in this research?
The researcher conducted a systematic appraisal of seven high-quality primary studies, utilizing quantitative data extraction and narrative synthesis methods.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines existing literature on malaria prevention, explains the methodology of systematic reviews, details the characteristics of selected primary studies, and synthesizes findings into a conceptual model.
Which specific keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include Malaria, Pregnancy, Nigeria, ITN, Public Health, Maternal Health, and socio-economic factors.
How do socio-economic factors specifically influence ITN usage according to the study?
The study highlights that financial independence and higher social class are strong predictors of ITN use, whereas lower socio-economic status often results in inability to afford nets or reliance on husband's consent.
What is the significance of the "conceptual map" presented in the findings?
The map visually demonstrates that ITN utilization is not influenced by a single factor, but by a complex, interrelated web of socio-demographic, economic, and knowledge-based determinants.
- Quote paper
- Abubakar Sadiq Idris (Author), 2017, Factors Influencing the Utilization of Insecticide-Treated Nets in the Prevention and Control of Malaria Among Pregnant Women in Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/446733
