Back to browse results
Regional variation and demographic factors associated with knowledge of malaria risk and prevention strategies among pregnant women in Nigeria
Authors: Ayodeji E. Iyanda, Tolulope Osayomi, Kwadwo A. Boakye, and Yongmei Lu
Source: Women & Health, Volume 60, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2019.1643818
Topic(s): Education
Malaria
Maternal health
Residence
Rural-urban differentials
Wealth Index
Country: Africa
  Nigeria
Published: JUL 2019
Abstract: Pregnant women and children are the most vulnerable populations for malaria infection. Yet, knowledge of risk, and preventive measures are poor among this population. Using the 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey, we applied logit link function to estimate the associations of wealth status, educational attainment, and region of residence with malaria risk knowledge and prevention strategies (using a treated mosquito net and malaria drugs) among 739 Nigerian pregnant women aged 15–49 years. Urban women who had obtained a secondary school education (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–4) or higher (aOR = 8.31; 95% CI 3.2–22) had more knowledge of malaria risk. Urban women in the South-West (aOR = 5.02; [CI] 2.02–12.50) and South-East (aOR = 2.68; 95% CI 1.19–6.06) were more likely to use treated mosquito nets during pregnancy. Women in the urban South-West (aOR = 4.04; 95% CI 1.5–11) were more likely to use malaria drugs during pregnancy than those in the North-Central. A wide regional disparity in the knowledge of malaria risks and use of preventive measures exists. Thus, promoting equal access to malaria preventive measures as well as improving knowledge about malaria transmission by mosquitoes should be considered as essential components of ongoing malaria control and elimination efforts in Nigeria.
Web: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03630242.2019.1643818