Browsing by Author "Sarpei-Nunoo, Helena"

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    The use of bed nets by mothers / carers of children under five years old in the Paediatrics Out-Patients Department (P.O.P.D) of the 37 Military Hospital in the prevention of malaria.
    (2011-06-19) Sarpei-Nunoo, Helena
    Before the development of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) as a new technology in the mid-1980s, people in many countries were already using nets, mainly to protect themselves against biting insects and for cultural reasons. It was only recently appreciated that a net treated with insecticide offers much greater protection against malaria. : not only does the net act as a barrier to prevent mosquitoes biting, but also the insecticide repels, inhibits, or kills any mosquitoes attracted to feed. The main objective of this study is to access adherence to the use of bednets in malaria prevention. The study was descriptive cross sectional in design. This was done by designing a questionnaire to capture the specific objectives of this research and included both male and female from 14 years above who were mother/carers of children under 5 years who had had malaria within the last six months at the 37 Military Hospital, Paediatrics Out-patients Department (POPD). A sample size of 200 people was interviewed using stratified sampling. The results show that malaria is of concern to majority of mothers/carers and that the principal reason for not adhering to use of ITN’s in spite of its effectiveness is because of lack of information and its high cost. Over 80% of participants perceived the causes of malaria to be mosquitoes. Only 95% indicated that they had heard of ITN’s. 80% think it is very good and effective as a preventive measure. However, only 55% claim to have actually used ITN’s. High cost and inadequate education being some of the main causes of lack of adherence.