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Influence of Phone and Internet Use on the Use of Insecticide-treated Bed Nets Among Pregnant Women: Analysis of DHS 2021 Data

Received: 19 November 2025     Accepted: 10 December 2025     Published: 29 December 2025
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Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among pregnant women. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are an effective preventive measure; however, their use in Guinea remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold of at least 80%. At the same time, the rapid expansion of information and communication technologies, particularly mobile phones and the Internet, provides new opportunities to promote positive health behaviors. Nevertheless, little is known about the influence of these technologies on ITN use among pregnant women in Guinea. This study aimed to assess the association between mobile phone and Internet use and ITN utilization among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted based on secondary analysis of data from the 2021 Guinea Malaria and Anemia Indicator Survey (EIPAG). The study population included women aged 15–49 years who had given birth within the three years preceding the survey. Data analyses were performed using R software version 4.1.3 to describe the sample, conduct bivariate analyses, logistic regression, and regression tree modeling to identify predictive factors. Results: Among the participants, 2,225 women (57%) reported sleeping under an ITN the night before the survey. After adjustment, mobile phone use (73%) and Internet use (24%) were not significantly associated with ITN utilization. In contrast, several factors were significantly associated with higher ITN use, including higher parity (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17–1.76 for 2–5 children and OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.32–2.24 for ≥6 children), attending at least four antenatal care visits (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.17–1.73), access to radio (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.07–1.45), and receiving malaria prevention messages (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.32–1.77). Conversely, large household size and an indirect relationship to the household head were associated with lower ITN use. Conclusion: Mobile phone and internet use had no significant influence on ITN utilization among pregnant women in Guinea. Factors such as household size, relationship to the household head, access to radio, parity, and number of ANC visits were significant predictors of ITN use. Strengthening programs aimed at improving ANC attendance, enhancing radio access, and intensifying media campaigns are recommended to optimize ITN utilization among pregnant women.

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17
Page(s) 376-389
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Pregnant Women, Mosquito Nets, Malaria, EIPAG, Guinea

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Sylla, S. S., Toure, A. A., Keita, B. B., Barry, M. B. A., Camara, N., et al. (2025). Influence of Phone and Internet Use on the Use of Insecticide-treated Bed Nets Among Pregnant Women: Analysis of DHS 2021 Data. Science Journal of Public Health, 13(6), 376-389. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17

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    ACS Style

    Sylla, S. S.; Toure, A. A.; Keita, B. B.; Barry, M. B. A.; Camara, N., et al. Influence of Phone and Internet Use on the Use of Insecticide-treated Bed Nets Among Pregnant Women: Analysis of DHS 2021 Data. Sci. J. Public Health 2025, 13(6), 376-389. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17

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    AMA Style

    Sylla SS, Toure AA, Keita BB, Barry MBA, Camara N, et al. Influence of Phone and Internet Use on the Use of Insecticide-treated Bed Nets Among Pregnant Women: Analysis of DHS 2021 Data. Sci J Public Health. 2025;13(6):376-389. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17,
      author = {Sekou Sidate Sylla and Almamy Amara Toure and Boubacar Bamba Keita and Mamadou Billo Aye Barry and Naby Camara and Nouonan Gbamou and Jolie Kasongo Kayembe and Ibrahima 1 Bah and Alseny Yarie Camara and Mamady Sidibe and Mamadou Diakite},
      title = {Influence of Phone and Internet Use on the Use of Insecticide-treated Bed Nets Among Pregnant Women: Analysis of DHS 2021 Data},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {376-389},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20251306.17},
      abstract = {Background: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among pregnant women. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are an effective preventive measure; however, their use in Guinea remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold of at least 80%. At the same time, the rapid expansion of information and communication technologies, particularly mobile phones and the Internet, provides new opportunities to promote positive health behaviors. Nevertheless, little is known about the influence of these technologies on ITN use among pregnant women in Guinea. This study aimed to assess the association between mobile phone and Internet use and ITN utilization among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted based on secondary analysis of data from the 2021 Guinea Malaria and Anemia Indicator Survey (EIPAG). The study population included women aged 15–49 years who had given birth within the three years preceding the survey. Data analyses were performed using R software version 4.1.3 to describe the sample, conduct bivariate analyses, logistic regression, and regression tree modeling to identify predictive factors. Results: Among the participants, 2,225 women (57%) reported sleeping under an ITN the night before the survey. After adjustment, mobile phone use (73%) and Internet use (24%) were not significantly associated with ITN utilization. In contrast, several factors were significantly associated with higher ITN use, including higher parity (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17–1.76 for 2–5 children and OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.32–2.24 for ≥6 children), attending at least four antenatal care visits (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.17–1.73), access to radio (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.07–1.45), and receiving malaria prevention messages (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.32–1.77). Conversely, large household size and an indirect relationship to the household head were associated with lower ITN use. Conclusion: Mobile phone and internet use had no significant influence on ITN utilization among pregnant women in Guinea. Factors such as household size, relationship to the household head, access to radio, parity, and number of ANC visits were significant predictors of ITN use. Strengthening programs aimed at improving ANC attendance, enhancing radio access, and intensifying media campaigns are recommended to optimize ITN utilization among pregnant women.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Influence of Phone and Internet Use on the Use of Insecticide-treated Bed Nets Among Pregnant Women: Analysis of DHS 2021 Data
    AU  - Sekou Sidate Sylla
    AU  - Almamy Amara Toure
    AU  - Boubacar Bamba Keita
    AU  - Mamadou Billo Aye Barry
    AU  - Naby Camara
    AU  - Nouonan Gbamou
    AU  - Jolie Kasongo Kayembe
    AU  - Ibrahima 1 Bah
    AU  - Alseny Yarie Camara
    AU  - Mamady Sidibe
    AU  - Mamadou Diakite
    Y1  - 2025/12/29
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17
    T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 376
    EP  - 389
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.17
    AB  - Background: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among pregnant women. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are an effective preventive measure; however, their use in Guinea remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold of at least 80%. At the same time, the rapid expansion of information and communication technologies, particularly mobile phones and the Internet, provides new opportunities to promote positive health behaviors. Nevertheless, little is known about the influence of these technologies on ITN use among pregnant women in Guinea. This study aimed to assess the association between mobile phone and Internet use and ITN utilization among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted based on secondary analysis of data from the 2021 Guinea Malaria and Anemia Indicator Survey (EIPAG). The study population included women aged 15–49 years who had given birth within the three years preceding the survey. Data analyses were performed using R software version 4.1.3 to describe the sample, conduct bivariate analyses, logistic regression, and regression tree modeling to identify predictive factors. Results: Among the participants, 2,225 women (57%) reported sleeping under an ITN the night before the survey. After adjustment, mobile phone use (73%) and Internet use (24%) were not significantly associated with ITN utilization. In contrast, several factors were significantly associated with higher ITN use, including higher parity (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17–1.76 for 2–5 children and OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.32–2.24 for ≥6 children), attending at least four antenatal care visits (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.17–1.73), access to radio (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.07–1.45), and receiving malaria prevention messages (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.32–1.77). Conversely, large household size and an indirect relationship to the household head were associated with lower ITN use. Conclusion: Mobile phone and internet use had no significant influence on ITN utilization among pregnant women in Guinea. Factors such as household size, relationship to the household head, access to radio, parity, and number of ANC visits were significant predictors of ITN use. Strengthening programs aimed at improving ANC attendance, enhancing radio access, and intensifying media campaigns are recommended to optimize ITN utilization among pregnant women.
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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