Factors influencing the usage of different types of malaria prevention methods during pregnancy in Kenya

Abstract

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, which, during pregnancy, is associated with adverse health outcomes for both mother and foetus. Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and Intermittent Preventive Therapy (IPTp) is advocated to prevent malaria during pregnancy. Objective: To examine factors which influence the use of different types of malaria prevention methods among pregnant women in Kenya. Methods: This study used 2008-09 Kenya Demographic and Health survey. Pregnant women aged 15-49 years were included (622 women). Distribution of the study population was assessed in frequency tables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed. Results: Fifty-two percent of women used ITNs and 38.5% reported uptake of IPTp. In multivariate analysis age, malaria risk areas, religion, education and income influenced ITN usage, whereas only age, malaria risk areas and marital status were found to influence IPTP uptake. Conclusions: ITN use and IPTp uptake were well below the 80% Kenya Malaria Strategy 2006 target. In an effort to increase uptake it is vital for future research to understand reasons for low usage and uptake of malaria prevention programmes so as to enable policy-makers to make informed decisions.

Long lasting insecticide bed net utilization and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Fogera district, North West Ethiopia, 2018.

“…The odds of LLIN utilization was 2.449 times more among secondary school education pregnant mothers than mothers who didn't attended any formal education(AOR = 2.449(1.125, 5.33)). This finding was consistent with studies conducted in Damot Pulasa district, Southern Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia respectively [4,18,23]. This could be attributed to the fact that people who attended formal education were better aware of importance of malaria prevention methods including LLIN through reading, mass media and attending different training at community level [17].…”

Factors influencing the use of malaria prevention strategies by women in Senegal: a cross-sectional study

“…These data suggest that even with scale-up of malaria control interventions, present distribution strategies are still not reaching the needs of some of the most vulnerable groups, including the poor. The fact that women from poorer households are disadvantaged in the context of free distribution of IPTp and ITNs [ 3 , 17 , 28 – 33 , 35 ] has been previously documented in studies from Kenya, Senegal and Uganda. In a previous study from DHS data in Senegal, Faye et al [ 17 ] showed that the fact that women have to pay in order to have access to health care centre (where they would receive the freely distributed IPTp and ITN) can negatively impact their access to a health service interventions and tools for malaria prevention in Senegal [ 17 ].…”

Analysis of Insecticide-Treated Net Use by Pregnant Women: Implications for Donor Organizations

“…Previous studies have also found similar factors associated with ITN use. In a study conducted in the Congo, marital status and education were associated with ITN use [ 17 ], in Uganda, marital status and ANC visits were related to ITN use [ 18 ], and in Kenya, marital status and education were associated with ITN use [ 9 ].…”

“…Since ITNs are considered the most important malaria preventive measure, especially in high-risk malaria-endemic areas, this is the primary intervention carried out by the NMCP in the DRC [ 2 ]. Malaria is a global public health issue, especially for pregnant women, as it may be dangerous to both the mother and fetus [ 7 – 9 ]. Therefore, utilization of ITNs can reduce the complications related to malaria during pregnancy.…”