Health Workers' Awareness and Knowledge of Current Recommendation of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy in South-Western Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Malaria in pregnancy is of public health significance because of its associated maternal and fetal complications. This study aimed to assess health workers' awareness and knowledge of the current World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 148 health workers who offer obstetrics care in selected health facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria using a self-administered questionnaire to evaluate their awareness and knowledge of the current WHO IPTp-SP. Information on their socio-demographic and professional characteristics, awareness, knowledge and practice of the current IPTp recommendation were obtained. Data analysis involved descriptive and bivariate analyses using SPSS version 20.0 with level of significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The majority, 85(57.4%), of the health workers had been providing obstetrics care for less than 5 years with most of them, 114(77.0%), practicing at tertiary health facility. More than half, 92(62.2%), of them were aware of the current WHO IPTp-SP recommendation while about two-fifth (39.1%) had its correct knowledge. Of the health workers who were knowledgeable of the current IPTp-SP recommendation almost three-quarter, 29(72.2%) of them prescribed it. The health workers' professional cadre (p<0.001) and duration of providing obstetrics care (p=0.012) were significantly associated with their awareness and correct knowledge of the current IPTp-SP recommendation. CONCLUSION: Most of the health workers are aware but not knowledgeable of the correct administration of the current IPTp-SP recommendation. Likewise, many of them do not prescribe it. This calls for regular training and update of health workers and institutional protocol so as to effectively reduce the prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its complications.