Long lasting insecticide bed net utilization and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Fogera district, North West Ethiopia, 2018.

Abstract Background: Long lasting insecticide bed net utilization is one of the major vector control intervention to prevent malaria in Ethiopia. Effective utilization of long lasting insecticide bed net has many impacts for decreasing malaria related morbidity and mortality among pregnant mothers.Methods : A community based cross sectional study was conducted from May 1-30, 2018 in Fogera district, North West Ethiopia. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was entered into epi-info and analyzed with SPSS software.Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression with 95% CI at P ≤ 0.05 was used to assess factors associated with net utilization. Result: The mean age of respondent was 28.26 (SD= 5.39). Over all knowledge of pregnant mothers about long lasting insecticide bed net was 68.7 % with 95% CI (64.1%-72.5%). Utilization of LLIN by interview was 88.3% and by observation was 68.3%. Pregnant mothers with secondary school (AOR = 2.449(1.125, 5.33)), had good knowledge about malaria (AOR=2.246(1.508, 3.344)), and had good knowledge about LLIN (AOR=2.1(1.417, 3.119)) were positively associated with LLIN utilization. Conclusion: Observational utilization of LLIN by pregnant mothers was 68.8% which was lower compared with WHO guideline. Those who had good knowledge about malaria and LLIN utilization, and educated mothers were positive significant factors for long lasting insecticide bed net utilization. Continuous health education on the use of long lasting insecticide bed net should be given to pregnant women at antenatal clinic to enhance its utilization.