PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF MALARIA PRACTICES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER UMUAHIA

ABSTRACT The study was carried out to determine the prevention, control practices of malaria among pregnant women attending Federal Medical Center, Umuahia. The objectives of the study were to determine the factors contributing to the spread of malaria among pregnant women and to identify measures/practices pregnant women take to prevent and control malaria .Review of the related literature was based on the above objectives and appropriate theoretical review applied .A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study .A sample size of 155 were selected using simple random sampling .A self-developed questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using tables, frequency and percentages. Findings of the study revealed that, over 90% of respondents knew at least one sign/symptom (94.1%) and as considered malaria as a dangerous disease. Misconceptions on malaria transmission, causative agent, prevention, and treatment were recorded. More than 77% of employees declared to use mosquito bed nets to prevent malaria. About 63% employees declared going to the hospital when they were feel having malaria while 12.9% were seeking care through street drugs. Educational level, socio professional category, area of residence, and enterprise were significantly associated with the level of knowledge on malaria transmission, causative agent, and preventive and treatment practices. Hence, it was recommended that a need to develop strategies for sensitization towards malaria control practices especially by midwives during antenatal care services. Furthermore there should be a stepping up on the distribution of insecticide treated nets alongside enlightenment of pregnant women on ways of preventing mosquito bite. Instituting the aforementioned approaches is key to improving the health- seeking behaviour of pregnant women in particular and the wider population in general thus enabling them to stay malaria free throughout the period of pregnancy and infancy. Keywords: Prevention, control, malaria, practices, pregnant women.