Socio-demographic and regional disparities in utilization of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy - Nigeria demographic health survey 2013

INTRODUCTION: malaria in pregnancy can lead to medical emergencies. Utilization of intermittent preventive treatment for prevention of malaria in pregnancy with Sulphadoxine- Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) has remained low in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to identify the factors determining uptake of IPTp-SP in Nigeria using the 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey. METHODS: we conducted a secondary analysis of data extracted from the National Demographic Health Survey 2013 which used a three stage stratified sampling method to select respondents. Independent variables considered were age, marital status, the level of education of respondents and their spouses, region, location of residence, wealth-index and birth order. The dependent variable was the use of two or more doses of SP for IPTp in the two years before the survey. Descriptive statistics for socio-demographic and selected characteristics was done. Chi-square test was used to test associations between sociodemographic characteristics and IPTp-SP uptake. Multiple logistic regressions at 95% confidence interval were used to determine predictors of IPTp utilization using STATA version14 software. RESULTS: of the 38,948 women interviewed 12,473 (32%) had given birth two years preceding the survey and 15% used at least two doses of SP for IPTp. Women aged 30 years and above [aOR 1.4, C.I:1.1-1.7], in the middle class or higher wealth index [aOR 1.5, CI: 1.1-2.0], with two or more ANC visits [aOR 4.2, CI: 1.4 - 12.5], were more likely to use IPTp. CONCLUSION: late initiation of IPTp after the second trimester was a contributory factor for poor SP utilization. Interventions targeted at ensuring pregnant women attend ANC and use of IPTp-SP after quickening should be promoted.