Maternal Educational Attainment and Uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine among Pregnant Women in Orlu Zone, Imo State

Authors

  • Ogoke Victor Ikechukwu Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21853345

Keywords:

Maternal education; IPT-SP; sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine; malaria prevention; pregnancy; antenatal care; Orlu Zone; Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria in pregnancy continues to be a public health menace especially in malaria endemic countries like Nigeria. Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) is an effective strategy for the prevention of malaria and its adverse effects. Maternal educational status could influence health seeking behaviours including treatment seeking for malaria and the adoption of preventive measures such as IPT-SP. The study evaluated the association between maternal educational status and IPT-SP uptake among pregnant women attending antenatal care at primary health centres in Orlu Zone, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women attending ante-natal care at selected primary health centres in Orlu Zone, Imo State. A total of 280 pregnant women were recruited for the study. Data on the level of education and IPT-SP uptake were obtained using a pretested and validated questionnaire/questioner administered by interview. Analysis of the data was descriptive and explored the association between maternal educational status and IPT-SP uptake. Maternal educational status was categorized as no formal education, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary and tertiary education. The highest proportion of the pregnant women who received IPT-SP had senior secondary education (105/37.50%). This was followed by those with tertiary education (67/23.93%) and those that had junior secondary education (67/23.93%). Fewer women with primary education (36/12.86%) and those with no formal education (5/1.79%) received IPT-SP. It was further observed that IPT-SP uptake increased with increase in maternal educational level and peaked among women with senior secondary education. Maternal educational status was associated with increased odds of IPT-SP uptake among pregnant women in Orlu Zone, Imo State. Women with higher educational status were more likely to receive IPT-SP compared to those with less education. However, those with no formal education comprised the least proportion of those who received IPT-SP. There is a need for enhanced health education during antenatal care visits, targeting pregnant women with lower levels of education to increase their knowledge of IPT-SP and encourage uptake of this effective intervention for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy.

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Author Biography

  • Ogoke Victor Ikechukwu

    Ogoke Victor Ikechukwu
    Department of Public Health, Imo State
    University, Owerri, Nigeria.
    ogokevictorikechukwu865@gmail.com

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Published

2026-08-08

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): May-July 2026

Section

Review Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Ogoke Victor Ikechukwu (Author)

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How to Cite

Maternal Educational Attainment and Uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine among Pregnant Women in Orlu Zone, Imo State. (2026). Journal of AI and Integrative Medicine(JAIIM), 1(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21853345