Prevalence and factors associated with the utilization of intermittent presumptive treatment for malaria in pregnancy in Adumi Health sub district, Arua.

Abstract

Introduction: With the high burden of maternal and perinatal mortality in Uganda, the Ministry of Health introduced intermittent presumptive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in 2001 as one of the ways of reducing malaria complications. Utilization of IPT in most developing countries remains low since its inception. The study aimed at determining the coverage and factors associated with IPT utilization for malaria in pregnancy in Adumi health sub-district, Arua.

Methodology: A cross-sectional community based study was conducted in semi-urban area in Adumi Health Sub-district, Arua district. A total 400 pregnant and postnatal mothers were enrolled through a multistage sampling and interviewed using standardized semi-structured questionnaires in March 2009. The coverage of IPT measured as a self report of taking at least 2 doses of SP cross checked with the antenatal card. Qualitative data was collected using 2 FGDs and 3 key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using Stata version 10.0. Logistic regression was used at multi variate analysis.

Results: The coverage of utilization of intermittent presumptive treatment of malaria using SP in Adumi HSD was 38.8% (95% CI 33.9-43.7). About half 48.5% took only a single dose and 12.8% did not receive IPT. Factors associated with increased utilization of IPT were, increased number of antenatal attendances OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.6-2.3), perceived attitude of health workers as good OR 3.5 (95% CI 1.9 – 6.3) and occupations of business and salaried/wage OR 1.6 (95% CI 0.7 – 3.4).

Conclusion: Coverage of IPT utilization for malaria in pregnancy is still very low in Adumi HSD in West Nile region of Uganda. Encouraging increased number ANC care attendances, improving quality of patient care at service especially health workers attitude towards patients and increasing job opportunities for the mothers in this region could improve utilization of IPT so as to achieve the Abuja target by 2010.