Assessment of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria among pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Northern part of Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the IPTp use among the pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Bingham University Teaching Hospital and improve the knowledge and attitudes of the patients toward the treatment. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out between August and December 2017 among 107 pregnant women selected by systematic random sampling from antenatal care attendees at Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos North local Government of Plateau State of Nigeria. Information on the knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) with sulphadoxine –pyrimethamine (SP) were obtained with the aid of a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Bivariate analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: Most of the interviewees were aged 26-30 years 40(37.4%) of the respondent, there was a high significant association between the age, educational level and occupation of the patients. Many of the respondents 57 (61%) were graduates, the association between the knowledge of malaria and level of education was highly significant. About 32 (29.9%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of treatment of malaria, there was a high significant association between the knowledge of treatment of malaria and level of education. 26 (24.3%) of the patients rarely used insecticide treated nets (ITNs) as method of malaria prevention, the association between the knowledge of malaria prevention and educational level was significant. Conclusion: Effort is needed to increase the sensitization of pregnant women about the benefits of IPTp in order to improve IPTp compliance.