Characteristics of Nigerian women taking sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine twice during pregnancy for the prevention of malaria

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of women in Nigeria who are likely to take sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) as recommended for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy to reduce maternal and child mortality rates. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1380 women was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The women had given birth within 6months prior to the survey and were drawn from 6 local government areas in Nigeria. RESULTS: Several demographic factors-older age bracket, ever attended school, currently living with a partner, ever married, and wealth-were significantly associated with compliance. Compliance was higher among respondents who had ever been married than among those who had never been married (χ(2)=6.733; P=0.006). Compliance was also higher among those in paid employment (χ(2)=17.110; P<0.001) and those in a higher wealth quintile (χ(2)=34.861; P<0.001). Knowledge of malaria, which included prevention of malaria in pregnancy through use of IPTp with 2 doses of SP, showed a positive association with compliance. Compliance with 2 doses of SP among those with good knowledge was higher (63.9%) than among those with poor knowledge (46.9%) (χ(2)=26.981; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The present findings could help in targeting health education programs to specific subgroups of women to increase compliance with the recommended 2 doses of SP for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy.