Utilization and factors associated with intermittent preventive treatment of malaria among women attending antenatal clinic in Mulago Hospital.

Abstract

Background: The greatest impact of malaria is felt in sub-Saharan Africa where up to 90% of the global deaths due to the disease occur. Malaria infection in pregnancy is a major cause of maternal and child morbidity and mortality. IPT-SP is one of the interventions recommended by WHO to reduce the burden of malaria in pregnancy. Objectives: To determine the proportion of women who receive IPT-SP and factors associated with IPT use among pregnant women by 36 or more weeks of gestation attending ANC in Mulago hospital. Methods: It was a cross sectional study which was conducted from Mulago hospital. The study sample consisted of antenatal mothers of 36 and more weeks of gestation at upper Mulago hospital. The sample size was 581 participants. Data management and analysis: Questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was then entered twice in Epi-info version 3.1 and later exported to Stata version 12 for analysis. Baseline characteristics of study participants were described in terms of frequency, proportions and percentages. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors that are associated with IPT use among women. Results: The proportion of pregnant women who received IPT SP by 36 or more weeks of gestation among women attending antenatal clinic in Mulago hospital was 44.3%. Factors associated with intermittent preventive treatment use among women attending ANC in Mulago hospital were late antenatal attendance and having to buy drugs for IPT.