Malaria Prevalence and Insecticide Treated Nets Usage in Argungu (North Western Nigeria)

Insecticide treated net (ITNs) is known to have a major impact on malaria control if properly used. The study was carried out to ascertain the impact of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) on malaria prevalence in Argungu, Northwestern Nigeria a decade after free distribution of ITNs. Questionnaires were administered to obtain relevant information such as: age, occupation, and ownership and use or otherwise of ITNs. Capillary blood samples obtained using sterile lancet were used in making thick blood films which were stained using Giemsa staining technique. The stained thick films were all examined microscopically for malaria parasites. Of the 300 household studied 226(75%) possessed at least one ITNs. Possession of ITNs is significantly associated with occupation (P<0.05). Eighty nine percent of the civil servants had at least one ITNs, and only 40% of the unemployed household had at least one ITNs. Not all these ITNs are being put into use. Only 113(57%) out of the 199 pregnant women used ITNs the night before the survey. Malaria prevalence is more among non ITNs users with proportionate decrease with increase in age among pregnant women. Impact of insecticide treated nets on preventing malaria may be minimized if they are not used properly most especially by the vulnerable populations.