Factors influencing uptake of IPTp3+ among pregnant women attending ANC in Mawokota North health sub district, Mpigi District, Uganda

Abstract

Annually, approximately 125 million pregnancies occur globally in malaria endemic areas. 25 million pregnant women are at risk for malaria which accounts for over 10,000 maternal and 200,000 neonatal deaths annually. WHO recommends initiation of IPT3+ in malaria endemic areas beginning with second trimester throughout pregnancy? However, uptakes of IPT3+ remain low in many countries, for instance in Uganda, the coverage of IPT3+ remains low at 66%. The study objectives were; to determine the socio-demographic factors of women influencing uptake of IPTp3+, assess knowledge of women and facility related factors to offer IPTp3+, Analytical cross sectional study design was used employing mixed methods. Quantitative data was collected using semi structured questionnaire among 150 women and qualitative data was collected from health workers as key informants. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS v20 while coding and themes were used for qualitative data. Data was collected from 150 pregnant women. Study findings indicate that knowledge about group at high risk of getting Malaria (χ2 = 4.113, df = 1, p = .043) and knowing how to use the drug (χ2 = 6.590, df =2, p = .037) was significantly associated with IPTP3+ Uptake of IPTp3+. The uptake of IPTp3+ was highest among pregnant women with correct knowledge about group at high risk of getting Malaria (46.7%) and those who knew about the drug dosage (26.7%).Findings further revealed that; the place Fansidar was picked from (χ2= 15.318, df =4, p = .004) and staff availability to offer IPTP3+service (χ2 = 10.956, df =2, p =.004) are the only facility related factors significantly associated with IPTP3+ Uptake. The uptake of IPTP3+ was highest amongst pregnant women who reported to have picked Fansidar from health facility (45.3%) and reported availability of staff most of the times (42.7%). Knowledge about the group at risk of getting malaria, dosage of Fansidar, Availability of the drug stocks at the facility and staff availability significantly affected uptake of IPTP3+ by pregnant women in Mawokota North Health Sub District in Mpigi District.