A study on awareness and Usage of Malaria Intervention Measures among pregnant women in Imo State Nigeria (Published)
The study was carried out to evaluate the level of awareness and subsequent usage of malaria intervention among pregnant women in Imo State Nigeria. The sample population was determined randomly from six (6) Local Government Areas to cover the Three (3) Geopolitical Zones of the Study Area. The subjects were people residing in the twelve local government areas under study. Random sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents (80 from each of the healthcare centers or hospitals) from each Local Government Area. The study included a total of 960 participants. The study was a cross sectional survey for the assessment of the impact of intermittent preventive therapy and insecticide treated nets. Data obtained from the study was analyzed using the statistical package for Social sciences (SPSS). The results obtained showed that 429(44.68%) use IPTp only, 287(29.89%) use ITNs only while 244(25.41%) combine both. From the result, the compliance rate and malaria status of ITN, IPT and ITN+IPT usage revealed malaria infection rate of 51.25% versus 41.25% versus 15.31% in relation to age, 55.31% versus 37.81% versus 14.69% in relation to educational level, 48.44% versus 42.29% versus 17.19% in relation to occupation, 51.25% versus 41.25% versus 15.31% gravidity and (42.50% versus 45.94% versus 19.38%) trimester. 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, particularly the ITNs which in most centres are distributed free of charge to these pregnant women. This underscores the need creates awareness on the use IPTp among pregnant women.
Keywords: Imo State, Intervention Measures, Malaria, Pregnant Women, awareness
Perception and Uptake of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test among Caregivers of Under-Five in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria (Published)
The launch of RDT is hoped to enable in reducing the rate of presumptive treatment of malaria. However, simply making RDTs available has not led to high uptake of the test, in light of this, it is crucial to understand the perception of RDT and its uptake among caregivers concerning the treatment of malaria in under five children, therefore the aim of the study was to determine the perception and uptake of rapid diagnostic test in the treatment of malaria among care givers of under five children in Owerri West Local Government. Descriptive study was employed and a multi stage cluster and systematic sampling techniques was used to select 420 respondents in the LGA. The Instrument for data collection was structured pre- tested questionnaire which was administered by trained researcher after gaining informed consent from the respondents. Results of the study showed that more respondents were aged 30 -49 years 161 (38.3%), females 268 (63.8%), Married 216 (51.4%), Primary education 126 (63.8%) and civil servant was 196 (46%) respectively. Perception of malaria RDT showed that 175 (41.7%) respondents were of the opinion that mRDT was useful, 102 (24.3%) not useful, 101 (24%) dangerous while 16 (2.8%) felt it was not good. Malaria RDT uptake indicated that majority of the respondents 223 (53.1%) did not know about RDT and 215 (51.2%) did not carry out mRDT test. 300 (73.8%) indicated that malaria rapid diagnostic test is not very useful and 373 (88.8%) of caregivers were of the opinion that mRDTs w ere expensive. From the study it is evident that the perception of malaria rapid diagnostic is negative and low, therefore sensitization of the caregivers about mRDTs will be of benefit.
Keywords: Imo State, Malaria, Nigeria, Perception, Uptake, under five