Background: Malaria infection in pregnancy is a major risk factor for maternal and child death, and substantially
increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birthweight. The aim of this study therefore is to assess the
prevalence and determinants of Intermittent preventive treatment of Malaria [IPTp] utilization by pregnant women
in a rural town in Western Nigeria.
Methods: This study is an analytical cross-sectional study. All pregnant women that were due for delivery and were
attending the three primary health care center in Sagamu town, Nigeria within a 2 months period were recruited
into the study. A semi- structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information.
Results: A total of 255 pregnant women were recruited into the study. The mean age of respondents was
28.07 ± 5.12 years. The mean parity and booking age was 2.7 ± 1.67 and 4.42 ± 1.7 months respectively. The
prevalence of Malaria attack in the last 3 months was 122(47.8%). Only 107/255 (40.4%) practice IPTp for malaria
prevention during the current pregnancy, with only 14.6% of them taking the second dose during pregnancy as
recommended. Chloroquine [27.1%] was the most frequently used medication for the treatment of Malaria in
Pregnancy. Early booking age [OR = 1.11, C.I = 0.61–2.01], adverse last pregnancy outcome [OR = 1.23, C.I = 0.36–4.22],
and parity [OR = 1.87, C.I = 0.25–16.09] were not statistically significantly associated with IPTp utilization. The only
predictor of IPTp use was the knowledge of prophylaxis for malaria prevention [OR = 2.47, C.I = 1.06–3.52] using
multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: The study concludes that most women who attend ANC in rural areas in Nigeria do not receive IPTp
as expected. A major determinant of utilization of IPTp among the study population was the knowledge of
prophylaxis for malaria prevention. This study highlights the importance of health education of the pregnant
women in increasing IPTp uptake despite the regular drug stock out at the facility level in rural areas in low
resource countries.