title: Factors associated with use of malaria control interventions by pregnant women in Buwunga subcounty, Bugiri District.
abstract: In Uganda, the Government has promoted the use of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) as malaria control strategies for pregnant women. However, their utilization among pregnant women is low. This study aimed at assessing factors associated with use of IPTp for malaria and ITNs by pregnant women in Buwunga sub-county, Bugiri District.
  
  
  
  This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Buwunga sub-county, Bugiri District, employing quantitative data collection tools. A total of 350 household members were randomly selected to participate in the study. Data were entered and analysed using Epi info version 3.5.1; bivariable and multivariable analysis was done to assess the factors associated with use of IPTp and ITNs among pregnant women.
  
  
  
  The level of uptake of IPTp1 (at least one dose) was 63.7 % while IPTp2 (at least two doses) was 42.0 %. More than half (58.6 %) of the mothers had slept under an ITN the night before the survey. Slightly more than half (51.9 %) of the mothers mentioned stock outs as the major reason for not accessing IPTp and ITNs. The main factors that were statistically significant for IPTp2 uptake were the knowledge of mothers on IPTp2 (AOR 2.48 95 % CI 1.53-4.02) and providing women with free clean water at the antenatal care (ANC) clinic (AOR 3.63 95 % CI 2.06-6.39). Factors that were significant for ITN utilization included education level of mothers (AOR 2.03 95 % CI 1.09-3.78), ease of access (AOR 2.74 95 % CI 1.65-4.52), and parity (AOR 1.71 95 % CI 1.01-1.29).
  
  
  
  The level of uptake of the two recommended doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) tablets for malaria prevention (IPTp2) was low, slightly more than half of the mothers slept under an ITN the night before the survey. Appropriate measures to increase the level of uptake of IPTp2 and coverage of ITNs among pregnant women should be implemented, and these include providing health education about IPTp and ITNs, and ensuring that mothers are provided with free safe clean water at ANC clinic.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Health sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muhumuza
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Health sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. noelnamuhani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Namuhani
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Health sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Bonny Enock
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Balugaba
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Health sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Namata
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ekirapa Kiracho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials
keywords: IPTp2 uptake; ITN use; Malaria control interventions; Pregnant women