Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia: levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices among pregnant women on initial attendance to antenatal care in Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria

5^th International Conference on PARASITOLOGY & MICROBIOLOGY

July 12-13, 2018 Paris, France

Amadi A N C and Nwosu C D

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nigeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

A clear understanding of the knowledge, attitudes, practices and the current status of infection of malaria in a community can inform the design of behavior change communication (BCC) campaigns to influence acceptance and use of any malaria control measure. This study determined the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection among pregnant women on initial attendance to antenatal care (ANC), knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about malaria and its control and their major sources of information on malaria. The study was carried out between February and April 2016, in two selected specialistâ??s hospitals in Umuahia, where pregnant women registering for ANC were consented and recruited for the study. Well-structured questionnaires were used to determine their KAP towards malaria and their sources of information on malaria, peripheral blood smears were used as diagnostic tools to determine infection rates by microscopy. Out of 374 pregnant women examined on initial attendance to ANC, 210 (56.2%) were infected by P. falciparum, with primigravida 138 (71.13%) and those that came in their second trimester 120 (60.9%) having the highest and this varies significantly across gravida and trimester at P<0.05. Majority 232 (62.0%) of the respondents had good knowledge about malaria, positive attitude 239 (63.5%) and good practices 198 (52.9%) towards its control measures. The media 110 (29.7%) and health centers/clinics 96 (25.9%) were their major sources of information on malaria. The prevalence of malaria among this study group was relatively high, many registered late to ANC which contributed to this high prevalence. Majority of the respondent had good knowledge, positive attitudes and good practices toward malaria and its control measures. The study advocated for early registration to ANC and improved sensitization of the pregnant women during ANC visits is necessary to address the gaps highlighted by the study.