A study was conducted to determine the comprehension of pregnant women on malaria risk factors
during pregnancy. Comprehension of Malaria risks is important to ensure compliance to prevention
methods and treatment by the pregnant women and hence optimizes the pregnancy outcomes.
The study was conducted in 2012 at three health facilities, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital,
Ndirande health Centre and St. Joseph Mission Hospital in Malawi. The study design was descriptive
and utilized quantitative data collection and analysis methods on a random sample of
316 antenatal mothers. The study targeted antenatal mothers who were aged between 15 and 49
years, in the gestation period of 28 to 36 weeks and able to converse in English or vernacular language.
A structured questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using SPSS version
16.0. Most of the participants (79.4%, n = 251) knew the risk factors of malaria during pregnancy
but very few (18.4%, n = 58) knew about intermittent prevention treatment despite taking
SP as prescribed. The motivation factors for taking SP were husband support and the desire to
protect their babies and themselves from Malaria. Although the comprehension of the intermittent
prevention treatment among the women was low, the women were motivated to adhere to the
treatment when instructed by the healthcare workers due to the desire for good health for themselves
and their unborn babies. Husbands were the most significant other that motivated the
pregnant women to adhere to treatment. Results show that there is a need for healthcare workers
to facilitate comprehension of intermittent prevention treatment among pregnant mothers.