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Journal of Public Health

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01-04-2008 | Original Article

Perceptions of the causes of malaria and of its complications, treatment and prevention among midwives and pregnant women of Eastern Sudan

Authors: Ishag Adam, El sir M. Omer, Amel Salih, Ammar H. Khamis, Elfatih M. Malik

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2008

Abstract

Background

Malaria infection during pregnancy is a big burden in Sudan and has many adverse effects on both mother and fetus. There are no data concerning the local socio-cultural knowledge of malaria, its complications and prevention during pregnancy.

Aim

This study was conducted to assess the perceptions of the causes of malaria, its complications, treatment and prevention among midwives and pregnant women of Eastern Sudan so as to provide policy makers and malaria programme managers with information needed to improve the design of malaria control.

Subject and methods

Interviews were conducted with 87 midwives and 168 pregnant women.

Results

More than three-quarters (78.2%) of the midwives and (82.7%) pregnant women perceived that mosquitoes were the transmitters of malaria. The coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) was 65.5% among the interviewed pregnant women. There was poor knowledge about the complications of malaria during pregnancy and the effect of malaria treatment on the fetus among the interviewed midwives and pregnant women. More than 60% of the midwives (n = 59, 67.8%) and almost all of the pregnant women (n = 162, 96.4%) had no knowledge about intermittent preventive treatment (IPT).

Conclusion

Thus, in spite of good knowledge about symptoms of malaria during pregnancy, there was a lack of perception of prevention and the safety of IPT.

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Title: Perceptions of the causes of malaria and of its complications, treatment and prevention among midwives and pregnant women of Eastern Sudan
Authors: Ishag Adam
El sir M. Omer
Amel Salih
Ammar H. Khamis
Elfatih M. Malik
Publication date: 01-04-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2008
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-007-0124-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Perceptions of the causes of malaria and of its complications, treatment and prevention among midwives and pregnant women of Eastern Sudan

Abstract

Background

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusion

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