Comprehension of Risk Factors of Malaria during Pregnancy among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Malawi
Affiliation(s)
1 Malawi College of Health Sciences, Blantyre Campus, Blantyre, Malawi. 2 University of Malawi, Kamuzu College of Nursing, Lilongwe Campus, Lilongwe, Malawi. 3 University of Malawi, Kamuzu College of Nursing, Blantyre Campus, Blantyre, Malawi. 4 Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.
1 Malawi College of Health Sciences, Blantyre Campus, Blantyre, Malawi. 2 University of Malawi, Kamuzu College of Nursing, Lilongwe Campus, Lilongwe, Malawi. 3 University of Malawi, Kamuzu College of Nursing, Blantyre Campus, Blantyre, Malawi. 4 Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to determine the comprehension of pregnant women on malaria risk factors during pregnancy. Comprehension of Malaria risks is important to ensure compliance to prevention methods and treatment by the pregnant women and hence optimizes the pregnancy outcomes. The study was conducted in 2012 at three health facilities, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Ndirande health Centre and St. Joseph Mission Hospital in Malawi. The study design was descriptive and utilized quantitative data collection and analysis methods on a random sample of 316 antenatal mothers. The study targeted antenatal mothers who were aged between 15 and 49 years, in the gestation period of 28 to 36 weeks and able to converse in English or vernacular language. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Most of the participants (79.4%, n = 251) knew the risk factors of malaria during pregnancy but very few (18.4%, n = 58) knew about intermittent prevention treatment despite taking SP as prescribed. The motivation factors for taking SP were husband support and the desire to protect their babies and themselves from Malaria. Although the comprehension of the intermittent prevention treatment among the women was low, the women were motivated to adhere to the treatment when instructed by the healthcare workers due to the desire for good health for themselves and their unborn babies. Husbands were the most significant other that motivated the pregnant women to adhere to treatment. Results show that there is a need for healthcare workers to facilitate comprehension of intermittent prevention treatment among pregnant mothers.
KEYWORDS
Direct Observation Treatment (DoT), Intermittent Prevention Treatment (IPT), Malaria Risk in Pregnancy, Adherence to Anti-Malaria Chemoprophylaxis, Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP), Malaria Parasite
Direct Observation Treatment (DoT), Intermittent Prevention Treatment (IPT), Malaria Risk in Pregnancy, Adherence to Anti-Malaria Chemoprophylaxis, Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP), Malaria Parasite
Cite this paper
Mpanga, V. , Maluwa, A. , Kafulafula, U. , Pindani, M. and Bultemeier, K. (2014) Comprehension of Risk Factors of Malaria during Pregnancy among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Malawi. Open Journal of Nursing, 4, 896-905. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2014.412095.
Mpanga, V. , Maluwa, A. , Kafulafula, U. , Pindani, M. and Bultemeier, K. (2014) Comprehension of Risk Factors of Malaria during Pregnancy among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Malawi. Open Journal of Nursing, 4, 896-905. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2014.412095.
References
[1] Uneke, C.J., Iyare, F.E. and Sunday-Adeoye Ajayi, J.A. (2007) An Assessment of the Impact of Placental Plasmodium Malaria and Perinatal Outcome in Nigeria. Internet Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 3. [2] Nwagha, U.I., Nwagha, T.U. and Nyaechie, U.S. (2009) Asymptomatic Plasmodium Parasitaemia in Pregnant Nigerian Women Almost a Decade after Roll Back Malaria. Transactions of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 103, 16-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.07.016 [3] Samak, A.C. (2004) Malaria in Pregnancy: An Overview. McGill Journal of Medicine, 8, 66-71. [4] Warrell, D.A. and Gilles, H.M. (2002) Essential Malariology. 4th Edition, Arnold, London. [5] Adam, I., Khamis, A. and Elbashir, M. (2005) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Pregnant Women of Eastern Sudan. Malaria Journal, 4, 18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-4-18 [6] Guyatt, H.L. and Snow, R.W. (2010) Impact of Malaria during Pregnancy on Low Birth Weight in Sub Saharan Africa. Clinical Microbiology, 17, 760-769. [7] WHO (2004) A Strategic Framework for Malaria Prevention and Control during Pregnancy in the African Region. WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville. [8] Ministry of Health (2007) Training Guide for 2007 National Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Malaria in Malawi. National Malaria Control Program, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe. [9] National Statistical Office (NSO) and ICF Macro (2011) Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2010. National Statistical Office, Zomba. [10] Hlongwana, K.W., Mabaso, M.L.H. and Kunene, S. (2009) Community Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) on Malaria in Swaziland: A Country Earmarked for Malaria Elimination. Malaria Journal, 8. [11] Lemeshow, S.K., Hosmer, D.W. and Klar, J. (1990) Adequacy of Sample Size in Health Studies. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. [12] Bouyou-Akotet, M.K., Lonete-Collard, D.E. and Mabika, M. (2003) Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Pregant Women in Gabon. Malaria Journal, 2, 18. [13] Rogerson, S.J., Chaluluka, E. and Kanjala, M. (2000) Intermittent Sulfadoxine, Pyrimethamine in Pregnancy: Effectiveness against Malaria Morbidity in Blantyre Malawi in 1999. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 94, 549-553. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0035-9203(00)90083-X [14] Dairo, M.D. and Owoyokun, K.E. (2010) Factors Affecting the Utilization of Antenatal Care Services in Ibadan, Nigeria. Benin Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 21, 3. [15] Fisher, J., Fisher, W. and Amoco, R.K. (2006) An Information Motivation, Behavioral Skills Model of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy. Health Psychology, 25, 462-473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.25.4.462 [16] Abasiattai, A., Etukumana, E. and Umwiyoho, A. (2009) Awareness and Practice of Malaria Prevention Strategies among Women of Uyo, South, South Nigeria. Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 11, 4. [17] Akileye, S., Falade, C. and Ajayi, I. (2009) Knowledge and Utilization of Intermittent Prevention Treatment among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Primary Health Care Centers in Rural Southwest Nigeria: A Cross Sectional Study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 9, 28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-9-28 [18] Mbonye, A.K., Neema, S. and Magnussen, P. (2006) Perceptions on Use of SP in Pregnancy and the Policy Implications for Malaria Control in Uganda. Health Policy, 77, 279-289. [19] Cunningham, F.G., Hauth, J.C. and Leveno, K.J. (2005) Williams Obstetrics. 22nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York. [20] MIPESA (2004) Malaria in Pregnancy in East and Southern Africa. http://jid.oxfordjournals.org [21] Brabin, L., Stokes, E. and Dumbaya, I. (2009) Rural Gambian Women’s Reliance on Health Workers to Deliver Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine as Recommended Intermittent Prevention Treatment for Malaria in Pregnancy. Malaria Journal, 8, 25.
[1] Uneke, C.J., Iyare, F.E. and Sunday-Adeoye Ajayi, J.A. (2007) An Assessment of the Impact of Placental Plasmodium Malaria and Perinatal Outcome in Nigeria. Internet Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 3. [2] Nwagha, U.I., Nwagha, T.U. and Nyaechie, U.S. (2009) Asymptomatic Plasmodium Parasitaemia in Pregnant Nigerian Women Almost a Decade after Roll Back Malaria. Transactions of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 103, 16-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.07.016 [3] Samak, A.C. (2004) Malaria in Pregnancy: An Overview. McGill Journal of Medicine, 8, 66-71. [4] Warrell, D.A. and Gilles, H.M. (2002) Essential Malariology. 4th Edition, Arnold, London. [5] Adam, I., Khamis, A. and Elbashir, M. (2005) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Pregnant Women of Eastern Sudan. Malaria Journal, 4, 18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-4-18 [6] Guyatt, H.L. and Snow, R.W. (2010) Impact of Malaria during Pregnancy on Low Birth Weight in Sub Saharan Africa. Clinical Microbiology, 17, 760-769. [7] WHO (2004) A Strategic Framework for Malaria Prevention and Control during Pregnancy in the African Region. WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville. [8] Ministry of Health (2007) Training Guide for 2007 National Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Malaria in Malawi. National Malaria Control Program, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe. [9] National Statistical Office (NSO) and ICF Macro (2011) Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2010. National Statistical Office, Zomba. [10] Hlongwana, K.W., Mabaso, M.L.H. and Kunene, S. (2009) Community Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) on Malaria in Swaziland: A Country Earmarked for Malaria Elimination. Malaria Journal, 8. [11] Lemeshow, S.K., Hosmer, D.W. and Klar, J. (1990) Adequacy of Sample Size in Health Studies. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. [12] Bouyou-Akotet, M.K., Lonete-Collard, D.E. and Mabika, M. (2003) Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Pregant Women in Gabon. Malaria Journal, 2, 18. [13] Rogerson, S.J., Chaluluka, E. and Kanjala, M. (2000) Intermittent Sulfadoxine, Pyrimethamine in Pregnancy: Effectiveness against Malaria Morbidity in Blantyre Malawi in 1999. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 94, 549-553. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0035-9203(00)90083-X [14] Dairo, M.D. and Owoyokun, K.E. (2010) Factors Affecting the Utilization of Antenatal Care Services in Ibadan, Nigeria. Benin Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 21, 3. [15] Fisher, J., Fisher, W. and Amoco, R.K. (2006) An Information Motivation, Behavioral Skills Model of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy. Health Psychology, 25, 462-473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.25.4.462 [16] Abasiattai, A., Etukumana, E. and Umwiyoho, A. (2009) Awareness and Practice of Malaria Prevention Strategies among Women of Uyo, South, South Nigeria. Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 11, 4. [17] Akileye, S., Falade, C. and Ajayi, I. (2009) Knowledge and Utilization of Intermittent Prevention Treatment among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Primary Health Care Centers in Rural Southwest Nigeria: A Cross Sectional Study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 9, 28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-9-28 [18] Mbonye, A.K., Neema, S. and Magnussen, P. (2006) Perceptions on Use of SP in Pregnancy and the Policy Implications for Malaria Control in Uganda. Health Policy, 77, 279-289. [19] Cunningham, F.G., Hauth, J.C. and Leveno, K.J. (2005) Williams Obstetrics. 22nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York. [20] MIPESA (2004) Malaria in Pregnancy in East and Southern Africa. http://jid.oxfordjournals.org [21] Brabin, L., Stokes, E. and Dumbaya, I. (2009) Rural Gambian Women’s Reliance on Health Workers to Deliver Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine as Recommended Intermittent Prevention Treatment for Malaria in Pregnancy. Malaria Journal, 8, 25.