Author(s)

Antoine Dikoke Oleko Djamba, Nicolas Pengolongo Okitokako, Louise Dikomaki Ohandjo, Oscar Milambo Okongeme, Nestor Ngoy Kankienza

Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Tshumbe (ISTM Tshumbe), Lumumba, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Objective: The main objective of this study is to identify the determinants of non-use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets among pregnant women and children under five years old at the Dikungu General Reference Hospital. Methods: For this study, we used the cross-sectional correlational method, through an interview questionnaire among pregnant women and children under five years old at the Dikungu HGR. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 25 software. Results: This study found the following results: A predominance (58.1%) of the female sex, married women were in the majority (38.7%), 24% had a secondary education level, while female employees presented 26.7%, the majority (71.3%) were Catholic, 32.7% did not use the insecticide-treated mosquito net and 59.2% said the insecticide-treated mosquito net was unavailable; the most obvious reason (51.7%) is that they don’t like it, the majority (94%) accepted having received information on the importance of insecticide-treated mosquito net, and the most frequent channel (64.1%) was community relays. Finally, a statistically significant difference was revealed between the use of insecticide-treated mosquito net and the level of education (χ2 = 10.9; p < 0.03), and a statistically significant link between the use of insecticide-treated mosquito net and information on the importance of insecticide-treated mosquito net (χ2 = 20; p < 0.000). Conclusion: The following determinants of non-use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets were identified: Low level of education and insufficient information on the usefulness of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Promoting the education of pregnant women and mothers of children under five years old is essential in resolving the problem of non-use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets at the Dikungu HGR.

Determinants, Mosquito Net, Pregnant Women and Children, Dikungu HGR, DRC

Dikoke Oleko Djamba, A. , Okitokako, N. , Ohandjo, L. , Okongeme, O. and Kankienza, N. (2024) Determinants of Non-Use of Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets among Pregnant Women and Children under Five Years Old at the Dikungu General Reference Hospital. Open Access Library Journal, 11, 1-11. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1111332.