Prevalence and factors associated with uptake of Optimal dose of Intermittent preventive treatment (IPTP-Sp) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at selected health facilities in Soroti district

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization recommends the administration of fansidar to pregnant women beginning in as early as 13 weeks of gestation for prevention of malaria in pregnancy. Fansidar is safe, cost effective and has been known to reduce placental malaria. The current recommended dose is at least 3 times. The uptake of at least 3 doses has remained low both in SSA and Uganda, and even worse in the malaria belt of Uganda. The percentage of pregnant women admitted with malaria has remained high in Soroti District amidst many interventions put in place by the MOH.A number of studies has highlighted a number of factors associated with low intake of optimal dose of IPTpSP, however the one done in the malaria belt employed secondary data hence missed information on knowledge of these mothers about fansidar. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with uptake of optimal dose of IPTp-SP among pregnant women attending ANC at selected Health Facilities in Soroti District. Methods: This was a Multi Center institutional based Cross-sectional study conducted at selected health facilities in Soroti District between March and April 2023.343 participants was consecutively enrolled in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, obstetric, knowledge related and health care service delivery factors. Categorical data was summarized using frequency tables and percentages. To determine factors associated with uptake of optimal dose of IPTpSP, data was analyzed at bivariate and multivariate level using logistic regression. Analysis was done using STATA version 16.0. Results: The median age of mothers was 26 years. Uptake of optimal dose of IPTp-Sp was 86.6%. Knowledge about dangers of malaria in pregnancy (aOR: 2.42, 95%CI: 1.19 – 4.91), Knowledge about IPTp-SP benefits (aOR: 4.15, 95%CI: 2.10 – 8.23) and always having enough clean cups at the ANC clinic (aOR 5.43, 95% CI: 2.44 – 12.1) were found to be significantly associated with uptake of optimal dose of IPTp-SP. Conclusion: Uptake of optimal doses of IPTp-SP was high, efforts should be made to increase awareness among pregnant women, improve access to Directly Observed Therapy in antenatal care services to maintain the uptake of IPTp-SP among pregnant mothers. Key words: optimal dose, IPTp-SP, pregnant women