EFFECT OF MATERNAL AGE AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT ON THE UPTAKE OF INTERMITTENT PREVENTIVE TREATMENT WITH SULPHADOXINE-PYRIMETHAMINE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINICS AT PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES IN ORLU ZONE, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Ogoke Victor Ikechukwu*, Kalu Omokorie Obasi, Eberendu Izuchukwu and Priscilla Chinedu Elonu

ABSTRACT

Malaria in pregnancy continues to be a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is an effective strategy to reduce malaria-related complications, and has been recommended by the world health organization. However, uptake of the recommended doses is suboptimal in many parts of Nigeria. The study assessed the effect of maternal age and education on intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine use among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in primary health centres in Orlu Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. A longitudinal study was conducted among 400 pregnant women attending antenatal care services in 33 selected primary health centres in Orlu Zone. Participants were selected purposively from an estimated population of 3500 antenatal attendees. The data collection was carried out throughout pregnancy by interviewers using a validated semi-structured questionnaire to capture the IPTp-SP uptake. Descriptive statistics, percentages, tables and charts and Chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0>

Keywords:

Pregnancy malaria, IPTp-SP, Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, Maternal age, Educational attainment, Antenatal care, Nigeria.

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