Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPTs) of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending for Antenatal Care in Benadir Hospital at Benadir Region, Somalia

Abstract

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is a preventable public health concern leading to a high prevalence of maternal morbidity, maternal mortality and adverse birth outcomes. Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy using Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is one of the main strategies used to prevent malaria in pregnancy. This study was aimed to determine knowledge attitude and practice regarding intermittent preventive treatment IPT of malaria in pregnancy utilization among pregnant women attending antenatal center in benadir hospital wadajir district benadir region somalia during the period of the study from April 2021-July 2021. Methods: The study was descriptive cross-sectional retrospective Hospital based. The sample size was 60 respondents of pregnant women at 20 weeks to 36 weeks of gestation. Data were collected by interview method using structured questionnaire. The data were collected and then entered to Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 for analysis. Results: The study displayed that the majority of the respondents (58%) were in the 25 - 34 years’ age group. A total of 51 (85%) were married, while 17 (28%) had primary school education. 43 (72%) were housewives while only 11 (18%) were employed. A total 32 (53%) were had gravid more than Four times, while the study showed that, the majority of mothers 39 (65%) were had knowledge about Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy using Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). The study showed that majority of the respondent 25 (42%) were getting health education awareness towards IPTp were from health care providers at health centers while 8 (13%) from Friends/relatives/neighbors, followed by 4 (6%) from their husband. And 34 (57%) were had convenience IPTp-SP tablet consumption at their current pregnancy while 26 (43%) did not. Conclusion and Recommendations: Inclusion there was good knowledge and positive attitude towards IPT despite poor utilization, the study recommended the ministry of health especially health promotion, maternal and reproductive health and national malaria control programe should intensify strategies and policies to ensure 3 doses of IPTp-SP given at antenatal care centers target coverage in Somalia and provide capacity building for all health care providers. Also, there should be continuous sensitization of pregnant women on the importance of intermittent preventive treatment during each pregnancy by healthcare workers.