Pregnant Women’s Utilisation of Anti-Malaria Services in Uganda - Abstract
Background: Malaria is endemic and causes complications during 80.0% of pregnancies in Uganda.
Objectives: This study attempted to identify factors that influence pregnant women’s utilisation of anti-malaria services in the Buikwe District of Uganda.
Method: Structured interviews were conducted with 400 pregnant women in the Buikwe District.
Results: Pregnant women, who had progressed beyond primary school level education, were more likely to take intermittent preventive treatment drugs and to use long lasting insecticide treated nets to prevent malaria. Pregnant women were more likely to implement malariapreventive actions if they lived within five kilometres of clinics, were satisfied with available health services and were knowledgeable about the malaria preventive measures.
Conclusion: Although 97.9% of the interviewed pregnant women had taken intermittent preventive treatment and 84.2% of those who had received long lasting insecticide treated bed nets had utilised these nets, malaria prevention during pregnancy could be further improved. All pregnant women should attend antenatal clinics at least four times during each pregnancy, commencing during the first trimester of pregnancy to receive adequate health education and prenatal services, including the taking of two doses of intermittent preventive treatment and using long lasting insecticide treated bed nets throughout pregnancy