Knowledge and Practice of Malaria Control Measures among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women, children and immune-compromised persons are highly vulnerable to malaria morbidity and mortality. Malaria accounts for about 50% of all clinic attendance in Nigeria and contributes significantly to anaemia in pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm births, still births and perinatal mortality. It is therefore imperative that these highly susceptible groups of people are adequately informed and supported for prevention of malaria at all times. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of malaria control measures among Antenatal Care attendees in Abakaliki. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the two biggest hospitals in Abakiliki, among 400 Antenatal Care attendees selected using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Chi-square was used to test for associations between independent and dependent variables. The significance level was set at p< 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 29.2 ± 4.1 years. Majority correctly identified methods of diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy. Although 375(93.7%) of the women constantly owned a long-lasting insecticide treated net, only 187(49.9%) of them always slept under it. While 363(90.7%) of the respondents cleared their surrounding bushes, only 130 (32.5) regularly used in-door insecticide spray and 153(38.3%) always used anti-malaria prophylaxis in the index pregnancy. Conclusion: Knowledge about malarial control measures was high but use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Net with drug prophylaxis was suboptimal. It is therefore recommended that health education on malaria prevention practice be intensified during Antenatal clinic visits.