Factors Influencing Knowledge and Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets among Undergraduate Hostel Residents at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

BackgroundMalaria remains a significant public health burden in Nigeria. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a proven effective intervention, yet their utilization, particularly among understudied populations like university students, is often suboptimal. This study assessed the knowledge, prevalence of use, and factors associated with ITN utilization among undergraduate hostel residents at the University of Port Harcourt. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 undergraduate hostel residents selected via a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. ResultsThe mean age of respondents was 20.1 {+/-} 2.3 years, with a female predominance (58.6%). Knowledge of ITNs was high, with 100% having heard of ITNs and 46.5% possessing good knowledge. Health workers (61.5%) were the primary source of information. However, only 33.4% reported using ITNs every night. Significant factors associated with ITN use included female gender (p=0.016), residence in the Abuja campus (p=0.002), and enrollment in the Health Sciences faculty (p=0.005). The most common barriers to use were discomfort from heat (48.8%) and itchiness (48.8%) among users who reported adverse effects. ConclusionA significant gap exists between high knowledge and low practice of ITN use among students. The primary deterrents were user discomfort and adverse effects. To bridge this gap, interventions should focus on distributing more comfortable, user-friendly nets and implementing targeted behavioral change communication, especially for male students and non-health science faculties, to translate knowledge into consistent practice.