Factors Affecting Utilization of Malaria Preventive Measures Among Pregnant Women Attending Ishaka Adventist Hospital

ABSTRACT Background Malaria is an enormous global health problem affecting 300-500 million people annually. In Uganda there is stable Malaria prevalence of 95% in the country (Namusoke and Fatuma et al 2005), Malaria in pregnancy has important consequences for mother and baby. Coverage with the World Health Organization–recommended prevention strategy for pregnant women in subSaharan Africa of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) is low (WHO report 2004). Methodology A qualitative cross sectional and retrospective study was conducted on 30 respondents attending ANC by use of questionnaires in direct interview study with key informats, an indepth individual discussion and focused group discussions was carried out with the ANC staff, with random and purposive sampling of the respondents. Results 30.0% percent of women reported using ITN, 96.7% percent of women used IPT, while 100.0% of the respondents had knowledge about malaria preventive measures. there was a statistically significant association between socio-economic staus, education and gavidity with utilization of Mlaria prevention strategies like usage of ITNs. Conclusion 30.0% percent of women reported using ITN. 96.7% percent of women used IPT, the highest proportion of both ITN and IPT users were in the 26-35 years old age group. There is adequate knowledge about malaria prevention measures in pregnancy but the utilization of these measures is poor,there is still need to encourage nothers not only to know but to use the malaria prevention measures. Visiting ANC is associated with increased IPT use. This indicated that the more the women go for ANC, the more knowledge they acquire and the more likely they are to receive IPT