Factors Influencing Uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Malaria Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Igbeti, Oyo State, Nigeria
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Date
2025-12
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Lead City University, Ibadan
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and factors influencing the uptake of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) among pregnant women. Despite the proven effectiveness of IPTp, there is limited empirical evidence on how knowledge levels and socio-demographic factors influence its uptake among pregnant women in Nigeria. This study was anchored on the Health Belief Model, which explains health-seeking behaviors based on perceived benefits and barriers. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed. The study population comprised pregnant women attending antenatal care, with a sample of 404 selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering socio- demographics, awareness, knowledge, attitude, perception and factors influencing uptake of IPTp. Analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance set at p<0.05. Findings showed that the mean knowledge score of respondents was 3.4, with 45.3% having moderate knowledge, 40.6% high knowledge, and 14.1% low knowledge. Factors significantly associated with IPTp uptake included distance to facility (AOR=2.1, p=0.012), transport availability (AOR=1.65, p=0.045), and family support (AOR=2.85, p<0.001). Pregnant women in the study area demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge about IPTp, with family support emerging as the strongest predictor of uptake. Health interventions should focus on strengthening family and community support systems while addressing transport and accessibility barriers to improve IPTp uptake among pregnant women.
Keywords: Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), Antenatal Clinics (ANC), Malaria.
Word Count: 222.
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Keywords
Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), Antenatal Clinics (ANC), Malaria.
Citation
Kate Turabian