Malaria Journal (Apr 2020)

Correlates of uptake of optimal doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for prevention of malaria during pregnancy in East-Central Uganda

  • Mbonye K. Martin,
  • Kirwana B. Venantius,
  • Ndugga Patricia,
  • Kikaire Bernard,
  • Baleeta Keith,
  • Kabagenyi Allen,
  • Asiimwe Godfrey,
  • Twesigye Rogers,
  • Kadengye T. Damazo,
  • Byonanebye M. Dathan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-03230-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Abstract Background In 2012, the World Health Organization recommended that pregnant women in malaria-endemic countries complete at least three (optimal) doses of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) to prevent malaria and related adverse events during pregnancy. Uganda adopted this recommendation, but uptake remains low in East-Central and information to explain this low uptake remains scanty. This analysis determined correlates of uptake of optimal doses of IPTp-SP in East-Central Uganda. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey data on 579 women (15–49 years) who attended at least one antenatal care (ANC) visit and had a live birth within 2 years preceding the survey. Uptake of IPTp-SP was defined as optimal if a woman received at least three doses; partial if they received 1–2 doses or none if they received no dose. Multivariate analysis using multinomial logistic regression was used to determine correlates of IPTp-SP uptake. Results Overall, 22.3% of women received optimal doses of IPTp-SP, 48.2% partial and 29.5% none. Attending ANC at a lower-level health centre relative to a hospital was associated with reduced likelihood of receiving optimal doses of IPTp-SP. Belonging to other religious faiths relative to Catholic, belonging to a household in the middle relative to poorest wealth index, and age 30 and above years relative to 25–29 years were associated with higher likelihood of receiving optimal doses of IPTp-SP. Conclusions In East-Central Uganda, uptake of optimal doses of IPTp-SP is very low. Improving institutional delivery and household wealth, involving religious leaders in programmes to improve uptake of IPTp-SP, and strengthening IPTp-SP activities at lower level health centers may improve uptake of IPTp-SP in the East-Central Uganda.

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