Determinants of uptake of malaria preventive interventions among pregnant women in eastern Uganda

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Solomon Tsebeni Wafula, Hilbert Mendoza, Aisha Nalugya, David Musoke, Peter Waiswa
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021
• Subjects: ITN use; IPTp3 uptake; Malaria preventive interventions; Pregnant women; Eastern Uganda; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-03558-1; https://doaj.org/article/32e7a1d40b0d451a8cc7654418ed7fdd

Abstract Background Consistent use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) have been recommended as cost-effective interventions for malaria prevention during pregnancy in endemic areas. However, the coverage and utilization of these interventions during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa is still suboptimal. This study aimed to determine the uptake of IPTp and ITNs and associated factors among women during their recent pregnancy in Eastern Uganda. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 2062 women who had delivered within the last 12 months prior to the start of the study in three districts of Eastern Uganda. The primary outcomes were consistent ITN use and optimal uptake (at least 3 doses) of IPTp. A modified Poisson regression was used to examine the association between consistent ITN use and the uptake of optimal doses of IPTp with independent variables. Data were analysed using Stata 14 software. Results The level of uptake of IPTp3 (at least three doses) was 14.7%, while IPTp2 (at least two doses) was 60.0%. The majority (86.4%) of mothers reported regularly sleeping under mosquito nets for the full duration of pregnancy. Uptake of IPTp3 was associated with engaging in farming (adjusted PR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.28–2.28]) or business (adjusted PR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.05–2.44]), and attending at least 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits (adjusted PR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.34–2.22]). On the other hand, consistent ITN use was associated with belonging to the fourth wealth quintile (adjusted PR = 1.08, 95% CI [1.02–1.14]) or fifth wealth quintile (adjusted PR = 1.08, 95% CI [1.02–1.15]), and attending at least 4 ANC visits (adjusted PR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.03–1.11]). Conclusion Uptake of IPTp3 and consistent ITN use during pregnancy were lower and higher than the current Ugandan national targets, respectively. Study findings highlight the need for more efforts to enhance utilization of ANC services, which is likely to increase the uptake of these two key malaria ...