Korede Abdullah in Lagos
A new study has revealed that 62.6% of women of reproductive age in Nigeria own insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), a key malaria prevention tool. The study published in the latest edition of Malaria Journal indicates that despite efforts by the government and health organizations to distribute ITNs, this figure falls short of the 80% target set by the Roll Back Malaria initiative and the National Malaria Control Programme.
The study, based on data from the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey, highlights significant disparities in ITN ownership across different age groups, socioeconomic statuses, and geographic regions.
Women aged 15–24 were found to have the highest ITN ownership, while older women, particularly those aged 35–49, had a lower likelihood of owning an ITN. Researchers suggest that this may be due to targeted ITN distribution programs for pregnant women and mothers attending infant welfare clinics, which primarily benefit younger women.
The study also found that women from non-poor households had a higher likelihood of ITN ownership compared to their poorer counterparts, underscoring the role of economic barriers in access to malaria prevention tools.
Geographic disparities were also evident, with women from the North East and North West having the highest ITN ownership rates, while those from the South East and South South had the lowest.
The findings suggest that malaria prevention efforts may not be reaching all regions equally, despite nationwide ITN distribution programs. Rural women were slightly more likely to own ITNs than their urban counterparts, possibly due to targeted interventions in high-risk areas.
The study further examined community-level factors and found that women living in mono-ethnic communities, as well as those from areas with lower education and poverty levels, had higher ITN ownership rates.
This indicates that community characteristics, including education and economic status, influence access to malaria prevention resources. The research emphasized the need for more equitable distribution strategies to ensure that vulnerable populations, particularly those in underserved regions, receive adequate ITN coverage.
With malaria remaining a leading cause of death in Nigeria, researchers are calling for improved strategies to increase ITN ownership among women, particularly in regions with lower coverage.
The study recommends enhanced awareness campaigns, increased free distribution efforts, and targeted policies to address economic and regional disparities in ITN access. Strengthening these malaria prevention strategies could play a crucial role in reducing the burden of the disease and achieving national and global health goals.
