Introduction:

Intermittent preventive treatment remains a core strategy for malaria prevention in pregnancy.rnSulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is recommended for all pregnant women in malaria prone zones. It isrnscheduled monthly at each antenatal care visit up to 36 weeks.

Objectives:

Here we sought to assess the knowledgernattitude and practices on intermittent preventive treatment in pregnant women with malaria in Webuyernhospital.

Methodology:

. Prior to the enrollment ethical approval and permissions were sought from relevant institutionsrnas well as consents obtained from 140 participants aged between 18-49 years with gestation about 16rnweeks. Malaria test was conducted via either microscopy or rapid test and participants were split intornmalaria positive and negative cohorts. Closed and open-ended questionnaire were administered to thernparticipants and two focus group discussions were organized to collect their views.

Findings:

Results:

he results werernexpressed in percentage and Chi-square of association at a p-value equal or less than 0.05 95.rnQualitative data were analyzed by the means of MAXQDA software. Our analysis revealed that there wasrna significant difference between the proportion of negative and positive groups among mothersrnknowledgeable on the side effects p-value 0.001 different doses p-value 0.012. Those who wererninformed about intermittent preventive treatment before administration p-value 0.003. The proportionrnof mothers knowledgeable about side effects and different doses were higher among the malaria positiverngroup as compare to the negative with 52.9 versus 25.7 and 20.0 versus 5.7 respectively.rnMoreover 76.3 of respondents reported that intermittent preventive treatment prevents malaria 30.9rnhad the opinion that it causes abortion. Expectant women who were aware of the benefits of this strategyrnhad this to say This medicine helps to reduce the effects of malaria and prevents mother to contractrnmalaria. However those unaware had this to say I have never been told about something like that butrnit prevents diseases. Those who knew about the schedule and side effects said It is given three dosesrnduring each antenatal visit

Conclusion:

Good knowledge and prior information by the patients on the side effects and dosage of intermittentrnpreventive treatment as well as patients attitudes and practices were key for efficient prevention ofrnmalaria in both cohorts

Author(s):

Focus County(s):

Bungoma County

Programme Area(s):

Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

Research Priority Area(s):

Disease Domain(s):

MALARIA

Publication Date: 21.Oct.2023

Conference Title:

Venue: