RESUMO
Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the use of malaria prophylaxis and its related outcome among pregnant women in Imo state. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Six health facilities; the most prominent one from the urban and rural areas of each of the three geopolitical zones of the state was selected, between August and November 2013. Methodology: Pregnant women in their third trimester attending ante-natal care clinics were involved, and for multiparas only those who used the present facility during their last pregnancy were studied. All eligible parturient who gave consent (432) were studied using a pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done with SPSS statistical software; version 20 and significance level was set at p value of less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of the parturient was 27.9±6.1 years. Though majority of the pregnant women (64%) used sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for malaria prophylaxis, a sizeable proportion (9.8%) used chloroquine. Most of the pregnant women (94.7%) used one form of malaria prophylaxis or the other, the major reason given by the non users was erroneously that they felt healthy (56.5%). Primigravidas were more likely to use malaria prophylaxis compared to multigravidas (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.40 – 0.49). Use of malaria prophylaxis had a protective effect on parturient against malaria episodes (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03 – 0.23) and low birth weight babies (OR= 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55 – 0.89). Conclusion: Malaria prophylaxis in pregnancy was found to be useful in protecting against malaria episodes and in minimizing incidence of low birth weight babies. A sizeable proportion did not use the recommended regimen, and this calls for persistent health education and public enlightenment campaign especially targeted at the pregnant women.