International Journal of Medicine and Health Development (Jan 2002)
Knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Malaria preventive measures amongst pregnant women in Enugu
Abstract
Aim: To determine the knowledge, beliefs and practices towards malaria amongst pregnant women in Enugu. Method: A cross sectional survey of 300 consecutive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu was carried out. The survey instrument was a questionnaire with questions covering various aspects of malaria including causes, prevention and treatment practices. Results: One hundred and thirty two (53.1%) of the pregnant women had correct knowledge of the aetiology of malaria while 103 (41.3%) still attributed the aetiology of malaria to other factors including excessive ingestion of oil, overexposure to sunlight, bite of cockroach, witches and poisoned food. Knowledge of the causes of malaria was directly proportional to the educational attainment of the women. Most respondents showed correct knowledge concerning symptoms of malaria and fever was the most acknowledged symptom; 234 (94.0%) believed malaria could be prevented and knowledge and practice of malaria preventive measures were also high. The major determinants of choice of preventive measures adopted by the women were perceived reliability 178 (71.2%) and ease of administration 76 (30.4). Treatment choices of malaria amongst the women were oral drugs 123 (49.4%), injections 116 (46.6%) herbs 5 (2.0%) and unspecified 5(2.0%). In the event of an attack of malaria 160 (64.3%) of the pregnant women would visit a doctor, 44.7 (17.7%) would engage in home treatment with drugs mainly analgesics and antimalarials, while the rest would resort to either treatment with herbs, visit to chemists or resorted to prayers. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated a fair knowledge of causes of malaria and its preventive measures. However a few grey areas have been identified. The belief in other causes of malaria apart from mosquitoes as widely held by the women could cause a diversion of attention to preventive measures from mosquito bites. Sustained health education especially to less educated women is strongly advocated to enhance to knowledge of malaria and practice of preventive measures.
