Knowledge, practices and challenges of intermittent malaria preventive (IPT) treatment during pregnancy in Ghana

Abstract

Malaria contributes significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality rates in Ghana. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge, practices and challenges encountered in the implementation of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as a measure to prevent malaria occurrences among pregnant women. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. Convenience and purposive sampling techniques were utilised to select 88 women attending antenata / postnatal clinics and 22 midwives working in these clinics in New Juabeng district in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Questionnaires were used to collect data and analysis was performed using the SPSS program. The findings indicated that the majority of women and midwives knew how malaria is acquired. Most women (92%) knew about SP. The majority learnt about it at the antenatal clinic and some through radio and television programmes. While most women took SP under directly observed therapy, a few were allowed to take their drugs home. Midwives identified challenges such as women's failure to complete the SP regimen; some women receiving the first dose during advanced stages of their pregnancies whilst others received the first dose and never returned for subsequent doses. The findings indicate that nurses' and midwives' education on malaria prevention during pregnancy should be enhanced.