Knowledge and Practice of Malaria Chemoprophylaxis among Nigerian Women of Childbearing Age

SUMMARY

Malaria is still a significant cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. This has initiated the need to include pregnant women among persons requiring Malaria Chemoprophylaxis. A cross- sectional study of three hundred and seventy –five women of childbearing age was carried out in Okelele community of Ilorin East Local Government of Kwara State Nigeria through the use of interviewer- administered questionnaires. The knowledge and practice of these women concerning the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis were evaluated.

The mean age of respondents was 34.2 years. Majority 154 (41.1%) of them were in the 25-34 age group bracket. Almost all the respondents (94%) were aware of malaria chemoprophylaxis in pregnancy while eighty percent had actually used prophylaxis. The major sources of information were the media (56%) and health workers (22%).

There was a significant direct relationship between the levels of education of respondents and their practice of Malaria prophylaxis. Pyrimethamine is the most commonly used anti-malaria chemoprophylactic agent found in this study. One hundred and twenty-five (41.9%) out of the total two hundred and ninety-eight respondents who were currently using malaria chemoprophylactic drugs are now on pyrimethamine. Constant health education on the need for malaria chemoprophylaxis in pregnancy has to be emphasized. Niger Med J, 2003, Vol. 44(1): 1 - 3.

KEYWORDS: Malaria, Prophylaxis and Women of Childbearing Age