title: Knowledge of malaria and preventive measures among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in a rural local government area in Southwestern Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study determined the level of knowledge of malaria and preventive measures among pregnant women and its influence on the uptake of preventive measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 209 participants selected from pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in primary healthcare centres in Irepodun/Ifelodun, a local government area in Ekiti state, Nigeria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge of malaria was found to be very good, average and poor among two (1.0%), 165 (78.9%) and 42 (20.1%) respondents, respectively. Of the 109 (52.2%) respondents who had heard about intermittent preventive treatment, eight (7.3%) scored "very good" on knowledge, while 53 (48.6%) and 48 (44.1%) scored "average" and "poor," respectively. Of the 144 (68.9%) respondents who had heard about insecticide-treated nets, 95 (66.0%) scored "good" on knowledge, while 49 (34.0%) scored "poor." Factors that significantly influenced knowledge about malaria were occupation, level of education, months at first appearance at antenatal clinic and transportation cost. Knowledge significantly influenced uptake of insecticide-treated nets and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy ( p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to intensify efforts to provide health education on malaria and preventive measures as well as to encourage preventive practices among pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Medical Statistics and Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. stellakinleye@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Stella O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Akinleye
authors.forename: Ikeoluwapo O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ajayi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials; D018890:Chemoprevention; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011739:Pyrimethamine; D013413:Sulfadoxine
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D004338:Drug Combinations; C001205:fanasil, pyrimethamine drug combination; D013413:Sulfadoxine; D011739:Pyrimethamine