Malaria Chemoprophylaxis during Pregnancy: A Survey of Current Practice Among Antenatal Care Providers in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is an enormous public health problem, with considerable risks to the mother, her fetus and the neonate. A good knowledge of malaria chemoprophylaxis in pregnancy and practice are required to reduce the disease burden.

Objective: To determine the knowledge and practice of malaria chemoprophylaxis in pregnancy using sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) among antenatal care providers in Jos-North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey carried out among antenatal care providers (ACPs) in selected facilities in Jos-North Local Government Area. Pre-tested structured questionnaires were used to obtain information such as: cadre of ACPs, knowledge, routine provision and existence of malaria chemoprophylaxis protocol. The data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS 22.0.

Results: Of the 314 ACPs, 276 (88.0%) had general knowledge of WHO’s intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy (IPTp), 218 (69.5%) had correct knowledge of IPTp-SP, 262 (83.4%) routinely offer IPTp, irrespective of the agents used while 122 (56.1%) had correct practice of IPTp-SP. An estimated 191 (61%) were aware of IPTp-protocols, 123 (39.0%) of ACPs either lack or were not aware of the existence of any guidelines in their centers. A significant 193 (61.4%) of ACPs co-administration of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and folic acid, 241 (76.6 %) commenced IPTp after the first-trimester.

Conclusion: Despite high levels of awareness of IPTp-SP, correct practice of IPTp-SP remains far below national and global targets, indicating that there are deficiencies in delivery of IPTp-SP.

Key words: Malaria chemoprophylaxis in pregnancy, Antenatal-health care providers, Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP), malaria in pregnancy.