Improving malaria preventive practices and pregnancy outcomes through a health education intervention: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its complications, remain very high in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the effects of a malaria health educational intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model on malaria preventive practices and pregnancy outcomes. Methods The study was a randomized controlled parallel-group study, where 372 randomly selected antenatal care attendees were randomly assigned to one of either two groups after collecting baseline data. The intervention group then received a four-hour health education intervention in Hausa language, which was developed based on the IMB model, while the control group received a similarly designed health education on breastfeeding. Follow up data were then collected from the participants at a first (2 months post-intervention) and second (4 months post-intervention) follow up, and at the end of their pregnancies. Results For both groups, reported ITN use had increased from baseline (Intervention: Often–14.0%, Almost always–9.1; Control: Often–12.4%; Almost always 16.1%) to the time of second follow up (Intervention: Often –28.10%, Almost always–24.5; Control: Often–17.2%; Almost always 19.5%). Reported IPTp uptake at second follow up was also higher for the intervention group (Intervention: Two doses–59.0%, Three doses 22.3%; Control group: Two doses–48.4%, Three doses–7.0%). The drop in the haematocrit levels was greater for the control group (32.42% to 30.63%) compared to the intervention group (33.09% to 31.93%). The Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) analysis revealed that the intervention had significantly improved reported ITN use, reported IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels, but had no significant effect on the incidence of reported malaria diagnosis or babies’ birth weights. Conclusions The intervention was effective in improving ITN use, IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels. It is, therefore, recommended for the modules to be adopted and incorporated into the routine antenatal care programmes in health centres with predominantly Hausa speaking clients. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR201610001823405. Registered 26 October 2016, www.pactr.org.

Asymptomatic malaria infection impact on maternal anemia in Delta State, Nigeria

“…The result of this study is aligned with a study conducted by Omer et al (2021) and several other studies carried out in the SSA regions (Lufelu et al, 2017;Omer et al, 2017;Onyemaechi & Malann, 2020). This agrees with the documented evidence that 25 million parturients are at risk of malaria infection by P. falciparum in the SSA (Balami et al, 2021;WHO, 2020, CDC, 2020. Furthermore, this agrees with the study by Omer et al (2017) in Uganda, who also reported the identification of only P. falciparum.…”

“…Malaria parasite asymptomatic state in a high burden malaria area have implication in maintaining the parasite circle and delaying the malaria elimination and eradication program (Berzosa et al, 2018;Katrack, et al, 2018). Although malaria infection in the SSA (a high burden malaria region) is mostly asymptomatic due to the acquired immunity via repeated exposures, it is still highly associated with maternal anemia, still birth, LBW babies, preterm deliveries, maternal and neonatal complications, and death (Aguzie, 2018;Balami et al 2021;Bardaji et al, 2017;Omer et al, 2017). The observed high prevalence of mild (+) parasitaemia in this study aligns with the report by Quakyi et al (2019) that low density parasitaemia is common in high burden malaria regions.…”

Prevention of Malaria in Pregnancy Through Health Education Intervention Programs on Insecticide-Treated Nets: A Systematic Review

“…Six studies reported randomized controlled trial (RCTs) [20,21,22,23,24,25]. Five studies reported non-randomized controlled trial (NRCT) [26, 27,28,29,30].…”

“…A study reported that the intervention group received a four-hour health education intervention on ITN use, while the control group received a similar designed health education on breastfeeding [20]. Another study mentioned that pregnant women in the intervention group received health education sessions on malaria for 12 weeks, while those in the control group received routine information from health workers.…”

systematic scoping review of innovation on malaria prevention programs in pregnancy during pandemic

“…This activity is part of the strategy for community empowerment. (Balami et al, 2021;Escribano-Ferrer et al, 2017;Liliweri, 2009;Notoadmodjo, 2007;Supiyati;Eny Retna Ambarwati, 2012;Ulum, Mochamad Chazienul ;Anggaini, 2020)…”