Association between Media Exposure to Malaria Prevention Messages and Insecticide-treated Net Owne rship among Women of Reproductive Age in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Marshall Amankemeku Chuku *
Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Clement Kevin Edet
Department of Community Medicine, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Nyeche Solomon *
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Olatunde Raimi
Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Salome Amarachi Ike-Wegbom
Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Samuel Gentle Kitoye
Department of Human Kinetics, Health and Safety, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Anthony Ike Wegbom
Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in high-transmission areas such as the Niger Delta Region. Despite sustained prevention campaigns and distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), ownership remains suboptimal. This study examined the association between exposure to malaria prevention messages and ITN ownership among women of reproductive age in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The study used secondary data from the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), comprising 8,122 women aged 15–49 years residing in the nine Niger Delta states. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the association between exposure to malaria prevention messages and ITN ownership. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Overall, 49.4% of women lived in households that owned at least one ITN, while 55.9% had been exposed to malaria prevention messages within the six months preceding the survey. Radio (29.2%) and television (24.0%) were the most common sources of malaria prevention messages. Media exposure was significantly associated with ITN ownership (χ² = 51.955, p < 0.001). The results showed that women who owned an ITN were more likely (COR = 1.214; CI = 1.072–1.375, p < 0.05) to be exposed to malaria prevention messages compared to those who did not own an ITN. This association remained statistically significant after adjusting for other factors in the model (AOR = 1.144; CI = 1.005–1.302, p < 0.05). The data also indicated that respondents aged 30–34 years were more likely (COR = 1.630; CI = 1.325–2.005, p < 0.001) to be exposed to malaria prevention messages than those aged 15–19 years. After adjustment, this association remained statistically significant (AOR = 1.397; CI = 1.087–1.796, p < 0.05). The findings highlight the importance of strengthening targeted malaria prevention communication through mass media and health facilities, particularly among women with lower educational attainment, alongside equitable access to ITNs.
Keywords: Media exposure, malaria prevention messages, insecticide-treated net ownership, women of reproductive age