Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Malaria Prevention among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina State, Nigeria
Sani Jikan Malam, Rabi
Nursing Department, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria and Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Gitwe, Gitwe, Rwanda.
Onyejike, Darlington Nnamdi *
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gitwe, Gitwe, Rwanda and Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Abdulsalam, Yayo Manu
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Malaria in pregnancy remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, contributing to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality despite the availability of effective preventive interventions, including intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs).
Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of malaria prevention among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and malaria prevention practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Overall, 78.3% of respondents had adequate knowledge of malaria prevention, while 95.5% demonstrated a positive attitude. However, only 25.5% had good preventive practices. Although 90.3% had received IPTp during their current pregnancy, only 33.5% reported receiving three or more doses. Similarly, 61.5% reported sleeping under an ITN. Knowledge was significantly associated with age, educational level, occupation, residence, gravidity, and antenatal clinic attendance. Gravidity was significantly associated with attitude, while age, educational level, residence, and antenatal clinic attendance were significantly associated with preventive practices.
Conclusion: Despite adequate knowledge and positive attitudes, good malaria prevention practices were low among the respondents. Strengthened antenatal health education, particularly on IPTp dosing and consistent ITN use, is needed to improve adherence to recommended preventive measures.
Keywords: Antenatal care, health belief model, health education, insecticide-treated nets, intermittent preventive treatment