Awareness, Ownership and Utilisation of Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the level of utilisation of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine, the level of awareness of ITN, the level of household ownership of ITN, the level of utilisation among the vulnerable groups as well as the respondents in the study area. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study using a 34-item structured questionnaire which was interview-administered. The study population consisted of household heads, either male or female, under-fives (U5) children and pregnant women (PW). Data obtained were analysed and presented in percentages and tables. About 79% of the respondents were aware of ITN. Household ownership of any net was 57.27% and 42.73% for ITN. Utilisation of any net by U5 children was 49.1% and 33.33% for ITN. The proportion of pregnant women utilising any net was 55.26% and 30.26% for ITN. About 41% of the respondents utilised any net/ITN while about 59% did not. Recommendations that will assist in increasing household ownership and utilisation of ITN in the study area were made