Abstract
Background: Malaria remains a significant health concern in endemic regions, particularly affecting mothers and children. Despite effective control measures like insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual sprays, their utilization remains low.
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Objective: To assess the use of insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual sprays (insecticide spray) in the prevention of malaria among residence in Benin City, Edo State.
Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in community pharmacies in five local government areas in Benin City, Edo State. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Descriptive data analysis was conducted.
Results: Half of the participants do not own an insecticide treated net (ITN); However, Majority have used an insecticide treated net before, with 56.2% reporting last usage more than six months ago, Results indicate that 53.4% of participants have indoor residual sprays (insecticide spray) while 37.7% use it more often. The barriers to the use of insecticide-treated net include; heat (59.2%), unpleasant smell (50,7%), hard to set up (53.6%), lack of space (53.0%) while the barriers to the use of indoor residual sprays include; its expensive (52.6%), unpleasant smell (53.4%) and its affect my health (60%).
Conclusion: The utilization of insecticide treated net and indoor residual spray among majority of individuals is low. The barriers to insecticide treated net and indoor residual spray utilization are best addressed using a multi-sectorial approach in malaria endemic regions.
Keywords: Malaria, Insecticide Treated Net, Indoor Residual Spray, Malaria Prevention, Mosquito Control.
