Assessment of the Use of Malaria Prophylaxis, (Intermittent Preventive Therapy) and Its Related Outcome among Pregnant Women in Imo State, Nigeria
Kenechi Anderson Uwakwe *
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Chukwuma Bonaventure Duru
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Richard Uche Oluoha
Department of Community Medicine, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Nigeria.
Kevin Chiekulie Diwe
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Irene Adanta Merenu
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Chima Obinna Emereole
Department of Health Services, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Chijioke Okeudo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the use of malaria prophylaxis and its related outcome among pregnant women in Imo state.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Six health facilities; the most prominent one from the urban and rural areas of each of the three geopolitical zones of the state was selected, between August and November 2013.
Methodology: Pregnant women in their third trimester attending ante-natal care clinics were involved, and for multiparas only those who used the present facility during their last pregnancy were studied. All eligible parturient who gave consent (432) were studied using a pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done with SPSS statistical software; version 20 and significance level was set at p value of less than 0.05.
Results: The mean age of the parturient was 27.9±6.1 years. Though majority of the pregnant women (64%) used sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for malaria prophylaxis, a sizeable proportion (9.8%) used chloroquine. Most of the pregnant women (94.7%) used one form of malaria prophylaxis or the other, the major reason given by the non users was erroneously that they felt healthy (56.5%). Primigravidas were more likely to use malaria prophylaxis compared to multigravidas (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.40 – 0.49). Use of malaria prophylaxis had a protective effect on parturient against malaria episodes (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03 – 0.23) and low birth weight babies (OR= 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55 – 0.89).
Conclusion: Malaria prophylaxis in pregnancy was found to be useful in protecting against malaria episodes and in minimizing incidence of low birth weight babies. A sizeable proportion did not use the recommended regimen, and this calls for persistent health education and public enlightenment campaign especially targeted at the pregnant women.
Keywords: Malaria, pregnancy, intermittent preventive therapy, use, outcome, Imo.