Factors influencing insecticide treated net utilization among under-five children in Nigeria

Elizabeth Funmilola, Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Blessing B. I. Babalola, Federal University Oye-Ekiti

Utilization of insecticide Treated Nets by under-five children remains unacceptably low 3% in Africa and 29% in Nigeria. Worse still, malaria continues to be the leading cause of child mortality and morbidity. This study examined the factors influencing Insecticide Treated Nets utilization (ITNU) among under-five children in Nigeria using the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Survey, child data set. A sample of 16,721 mothers aged 15-49 who has child (ren) under age five in Nigeria were interviewed and analyzed using STATA 12.0 at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels (logistic regression). The multivariate analysis revealed that current age of child, region, mothers’ age, educational attainment, and wealth index significantly influenced under-five children ITNU in Nigeria at p-value < 0.05. Therefore, the significant factors of this study should be addressed by policy makers and programmers to boost ITNU in Nigeria. Key Words: Insecticide Treated Nets Utilization, Mortality, Morbidity, Malaria.