Abstract:

Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is one among the serious public health concern in Nigeria, being a malaria endemic region. It accounts for significant number of mortality and morbidity in pregnant women. World Health Organization has recommended at least a dose of intermittent preventive treatment of Malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine [SP] for its control, but there are challenges to continuity of treatment especially in Northern Nigeria where a significant proportion who uptake the treatment does not complete the recommended dose. The aim of this study was to identify the barriers to completing the uptake of SP for IPTp by pregnant women attending ANC services in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, North-West Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design and PHC Makera was purposively selected due to high ANC clients. From the facility ANC register, 109 pregnant women attending ANC and who defaulted in SP treatment were purposively selected and formed the study participants. Data was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings from the study identified 4 levels of barriers to completing the uptake of SP for IPTp by pregnant women attending ANC services in the facility. The study found that individual level barriers accounted for most (71.5%) while the system level barrier accounted for the least (2%). The study concluded that the greatest barriers to completing the uptake of SP for IPTp by pregnant women attending ANC were individual level and economic barriers. The study therefore recommends enlightenment on MiP and Government to set policies that would boost the economic status of women and make them take health decisions that affects them without delays.

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