In Sub Sahara Africa, the use of Insecticide Treated Nets
(ITNs) is one of many strategies of Roll Back Malaria
(RBM) initiatives to reduce malaria burden. This study th
erefore assessed the current
use of insecticide treated
nets and the determinants of its use among the caregiver
s of under five children in an urban local government
area in Osun state, Nigeria. The stud
y utilised a cross-sectional design among
caregivers of under- five children
selected from households by multistage sampling technique. The study collected quantitative data using
pretested semi structured, interviewer
administered questionnaire while factor
s that determine the current use of
ITN were identified using multi linear logistic regression.
The study revealed that 54
.4% caregivers of under five children were
aware of ITNs as one of the malaria
preventive measures, 49.1% had good knowledge of ITN and 38% agreed with the use of ITNs. Thirty four
percent had access to ITNs, 32.3% owned at least one ITN with 30.3% reported been given free in the health
care facilities. Thirty three percent had
ever used and the foremost reasons for non-use are not readily available
and expensive. Only 18.5% cu
rrently used ITNs and challenges faced we
re not easy to treat, difficult to set up
and no place to keep it. Marital status, knowledge of IT
N, attitude towards ITN, ownership of ITN and free ITN
were factors that determined the use of ITNs amongst the respondents.
There is a need to ensure intensive awareness on ITNs through campaigns and embark on its mass distribution to
the public to enhance use.