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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
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ISSN: 1606-0997 EISSN: 1606-0997
Vol. 33, No. 2, 2015, pp. 1-10
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Bioline Code: hn15046
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2015, pp. 1-10
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Perception and attitudes towards preventives of malaria infection during pregnancy in Enugu State, Nigeria
Onyeneho, Nkechi G.; Idemili-Aronu, Ngozi; Igwe, Ijeoma & Iremeka, Felicia U.
Abstract
Background: The objective of this study is to explore and document perceptions and attitude associated with
uptake of interventions to prevent malaria in pregnancy infection during pregnancy in Enugu State, Nigeria.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in three local government areas in Enugu State to identify the people’s
perceptions and attitudes towards sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets and uptake of recommended doses
of intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy. In-depth interview guides were employed to collect data
from health workers and mothers who delivered within 6 months preceding the study, while focus group
discussion guides were employed in collecting data from grandmothers and fathers of children born within
6 months preceding the study.
Results: The people expressed fairly good knowledge of malaria, having lived in the malaria-endemic communities.
However, some were ignorant on what should be done to prevent malaria in pregnancy. Those who were aware of
the use of insecticide-treated bednets and intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy however
lamented the attitude of the health workers, who make access to these interventions difficult.
Conclusions: Efforts to prevent malaria in pregnancy should focus on providing health education to pregnant
women and their partners, who reinforce what the women are told during antenatal care. The attitude of health
workers towards patients, who need these interventions, should be targeted for change.
Keywords
Perception; Attitude; Malaria-in-pregnancy; Insecticide treated bednets; Intermittent presumptive treatment; Nigeria
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