Knowledge and practices of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy among health workers in a southwest local government area of Nigeria

Abstract

Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) is effective in preventing malaria in pregnancy but health workers’ knowledge and compliance with its guidelines have not been fully explored. This cross-sectional study was therefore designed to assess the level of knowledge and practice of IPTp among health workers in Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA) Nigeria. Consenting 208 health workers and purposively selected 122 pregnant women who accessed the antenatal services were recruited for survey and exit interview respectively. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test while qualitative data was analysed by content analysis. Mean age of health workers was 27.0±7.6 years and overall mean knowledge score was 3.1±1.9 out of a maximum of 6.0 points. Only 24.5% health workers could adequately explain the concept of IPTp and 23.1% of health workers reportedly observed pregnant women take Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) directly. Exit interview revealed that only 13.1% of the pregnant women reportedly were directly observed by the health workers while taking their SP. Knowledge was significantly associated with practice of IPTp (p<0.05). Health education strategies such as continuing education within the context of IPTp and supportive supervision of health workers are needed to improve compliance.