Impact of Intermittent Preventive Therapy and Insecticide Treated Net in Malaria Control Among Pregnant Women in Imo State Nigeria
The study was conducted to ascertain the impact of Intermittent Preventive Therapy and Insecticide Treated Net in Malaria Control Among Pregnant Women in Imo State Nigeria. A total of 960 pregnant women were recruited for the study and examined using standard analytical protocols. Twelve hospitals were purposely selected for the study. The result revealed an overall malaria prevalence of 35.9% in the study areas. However, the prevalence of malaria based on the zone was not significantly significant (F stat = 1.2057; P = 0.3436). The profile of intensity based on gravidity presented 32.2% (+) light infection, 3.8% (++) moderate infection with no record of severe (+++) infection. Primigravids recorded most light (40.2%) and moderate (7.4%) infections; while Secundigravids had the least light infection (29.6%) and least moderate infection (3.2%) with Multiplegravids. The occurrence of light and moderate infections was not dependent on level of gravidity (X2 = 1.95; P = 3.76). Overall result revealed that 44.69% of the respondents used IPTp, 28.85% used ITNs while 244(25.41%) used both mathods. The usage of the methods of malaria control and prevention was significantly different (P<0.05) which is replicated in the zones (X2 = 42.1299; P = <0.0001). Result recorded that 250 pregnant women had full knowledge of ITN, while 70 pregnant women had partial knowledge. Out of the participants with full knowledge of ITN, only 79(31.60%) had +ve malaria status while majority 171(68.40%) had –ve malaria status. On the other hand, those with partial knowledge recorded 30(42.86%) +ve malaria status and 40(57.14%) –ve malaria status.This study has been able to establish the fact that some pregnant women do not protect themselves from malaria parasite infection with protective measures such as ITNs and IPTp, in spite of the popularity given to the use of these protective measures.
Keywords: Intermittent, Therapy, Prevalence, Intensity, Malaria, IPT, ITN, Imo State
