IMPACT OF FREE INSECTICIDE-TREATED NET POLICY ON MALARIA BURDEN AMONG CHILDREN IN ORON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed the impact of the free insecticide-treated net policy on the burden ofmalaria among children in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.Malaria according to WHO is considered a leading cause of child mortality globally and theNigerian experience in particular. Children under five years of age are most susceptible tomalaria infection because of their developing immune systems and inability to producesufficient antibiotics to fight Plasmodium parasites. The study adopted the health beliefmodel as the theoretical framework. The model noted that attitudes and beliefs of individualsaffect their preferences and utilisation of medical services, and this is particularly useful inunderstanding the impact of health intervention policies such as the free Insecticide TreatedNet and how various factors determine the effectiveness of the policy. The study adopted amulti-sampling technique and a questionnaire was used for the collection of data on LikertScale. Data were analysed descriptively from the Likert scale. The findings of the studyindicated that malaria significantly impacts children's health and development resulting instunted growth, diminished cognitive function more detrimental educational achievementand could mortality. The study further identified numerous risk factors, such as climaticconditions, location and malaria vectors, socio-economic determinants and effectiveness ofcontrol strategies which amount to a high malaria burden among children in the study area.The study noted that the use of a malaria-treated net would reduce the burden of malaria onyoung children and therefore recommended more awareness of the need to utilise the strategyand thus reduce the burden of malaria transmission on children. The study alsorecommended government, non-governmental, and community leaders' partnership inencouraging the use of insecticide-treated nets for children by parents and caregivers forprotection against malaria transmission.