Abstract

This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice on malaria and its prevention among 240 pregnant women enrolled at booking for antenatal care in Warri, southern Nigeria between January and June 2022. The study was conducted with the aid of a structured questionnaire. One hundred and seventy (70.8%) respondents knew malaria parasites as the cause of disease, 85.4% correctly stated that malaria transmission was through mosquito bites while 63.8% knew at least two correct signs/symptoms of malaria, Overall, 62.9% respondents who had correct responses in the three aspects of malaria above, were considered to have a good level of knowledge of the disease. However, there was a significant difference in the level of good knowledge of malaria between the urban 84.8% (112/132) and the rural, 36.1% (39/108) respondents (P < 0.05). Respondents’ attitude towards malaria indicated that 95% regarded it as a dangerous disease but 5% felt otherwise. Though 27.1% incorrectly regarded malaria (fever) as a normal thing in pregnancy, most respondents, 72.9% disagreed. Also, 91.7% respondents regarded malaria as a preventable disease, but 8.3% thought otherwise. Respondents’ first treatment-seeking practice in the event of a malaria attack showed that 45% sought treatment in the hospital, while 22.1%, 17.1%, 2.9% and 0.8% resorted to self-medication, visited patent medicine shops, used herbs and ignored the signs/symptoms respectively. Although respondents’ knowledge and attitude towards available methods of malaria prevention were similar, their practice differed significantly between the urban and rural dwellers. The three most common malaria preventive measures put into practice by the urban respondents were: 33.8% used insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), 31.8% used intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) and 31.1% used insecticide sprays. For the rural respondents: keeping the surroundings clean, bush clearing and use of IPT recorded 39.8%, 26.9% and 18.5%, respectively. Thus, the urban respondents were more compliant than their rural counterparts with WHO recommendations relating to effective methods of malaria prevention for all pregnant women living in areas of stable transmission of the disease. Public health education campaigns should be intensified to address the gaps in knowledge, attitude and practice on malaria and its prevention identified in this study, targeting all vulnerable groups.

Key words:Malaria, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Pregnant women