Methods employed in the prevention and treatment of malaria among pregnant women in a riverine community in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Malaria remains a major public health problem in Nigeria and is the most common cause of hospital attendance in all age groups,of which children and pregnant women are the major risk groups;therefore this study was designed to explorevarious methods ofprevention and treatment of malaria among pregnant women in riverinecommunityin BayelsaState, Nigeria.Method:A descriptive cross-sectional surveywas used for the study and a pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 180 respondents’selectedusing purposive sampling technique.Results were presented as tables and charts.Results:The study revealed that majority of the respondents werewithin 16-25years, with a minimum age of 16yrs, maximum age of 45yrsand a mean of 30yrs.More than half of the respondentsagreedthat malaria can be transmitted to the fetus and can lead to intrauterine fetaldeath.Most of the respondents used more than one preventive measures and the most commonly used methods employed in the prevention of malaria by the respondents were window and door nets (83.3%); clearing of bushes (72.2%), insecticide treated nets (ITNs) (67.2%) snapper(66.7%); insecticide spray (66.7%). Despite the fact thatagood number of the respondents (91.7%) claimed to use drugswhen they have malaria, most of which were prescribedby medical practitioners;only few of the respondents (31.7%) used prophylactic anti-malaria drugs during pregnancy.Conclusion:Findings above revealedthat, majority of the respondents had adequate knowledge of malaria and its consequences in pregnancy, and also employed good methods in the prevention and treatment of malaria.However, someof the respondents still used crude methods such aspouring kerosene in stagnant water, burning of bushes, and use of herbs, native chalk and broom etcin the prevention and treatment of malariawhichmaybedetrimental to healthand often ineffective. Therefore, there is need to concentrate on health education of thesewomen on the hazards associated with the crude methodsas well as importance of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) during pregnancy so as to achieve effective control of malaria among pregnantwomen.