Knowledge and Utilisation of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria among Pregnant Women in Muramvya Health District, Burundi, 2018

BACKGROUND: Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPT(p)) of malaria is a key component of malaria control strategy in Burundi. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is the drug of choice. Despite the evidence of the effectiveness of IPT(p) strategy using SP in reducing the adverse effects of malaria during pregnancy, the uptake and coverage in Burundi is low. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and utilisation of IPT(p) among pregnant women of Muramvya Health District and determine factors that influence the uptake. METHODS: This was a community based cross sectional study conducted from 16(th) to 28(th) September 2018. A total of 370 pregnant women were recruited from selected settlements of MURAMVYA Health District. A structured questionnaire was administered to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and utilisation of IPT(p). Epi–Info 7.2.2.6 and Microsoft Excel 2016 software was used to perform univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among the 370 pregnant women, 310 (83.8%) had taken IPT(p)–SP at least once in the index pregnancy. However, only 76 (24.5%) had completed the minimum required three doses. Having formal education (aOR=2.5, 95% CI [1.2–5.2], P= .016), parity (aOR=2.1, 95% CI [1.1–4.2], P = .033), and living at less than 5 km from the health facility (aOR=4.1, 95% CI [1.7–9.6], P =0.001) were found to be independent determinants of utilisation (at least one) of IPT(p)–SP. Also, having formal education (aOR=5.0, 95% CI [2.1–24.3], P<.001), and gestational age at first ANC visit (aOR=3.3, 95% CI [1.4–7.7], P=.005) were found to be independent determinants of taking optimal dose (three+) of IPT(p)–SP in Muramvya Health District. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show the low rate of pregnant women receiving the optimal dose of IPT(p)–SP. The study established that the major factors for IPT(p)–SP utilisation are; educational level, distance from home to the health facility, parity and the gestational age at the first ANC visit. It is therefore recommended that healthcare providers in Muramvya district should intensify sensitization and awareness campaign on the importance of girl child education and early ANC attendance in order to increase uptake and utilization of IPT(p)-SP for improved health outcomes.