Risk perception as a determinant of uptake of malaria prevention strategies among pregnant women in Busia county, western Kenya

Abstract

Background: Malaria mainly affects pregnant women and children under five. Insecticide Treated Nets and Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine  for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy are affordable methods of preventing malaria. Little is known on how  risk perception affects utilization of malaria prevention strategies.
Objective: We investigated how risk perception affects uptake of malaria prevention strategies; specifically, uptake of nets and SP and  prevalence of malaria among pregnant women.
Methodology: A total of 308 pregnant women proportionately sampled participated in a mixed study design done in 7 ANC clinics in  Busia County. Questionnaires were used to collect data; descriptive statistics and the chi-square test was used to analyze quantitative  data while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: With a response rate of 101.98%, malaria prevalence was 21.15%, the uptake of SP and ITNs was at 78% and 85.1%, respectively.  Knowledge on malaria was significantly associated with uptake of malaria prevention interventions (x² = 4.427, p = 0.035). Risk perception  was significantly associated with uptake of SP (x² = -0.128, p = 0.721). Risk perception positively influenced uptake and use of  malaria prevention interventions among pregnant women. On thematic analysis, most women were knowledgeable about malaria and its  transmission. Majority could not isolate the female anopheles as the vector.
Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria in pregnant women was 21.15%, net uptake was 85% while net use was 91%, and SP use was 78%.  Knowledge on malaria and malaria risk perception were found to influence uptake of SP but not use of nets.