Revista de investigación clínica

Experiences of Pregnant Women Regarding the Utilization of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Buchi Township of Kitwe

Abstract

Mwangala Mazuba*

Introduction: Malaria is a known major deadly global public health problem that causes morbidity and mortality in many countries, mostly in the African region. Evidence in Zambia shows it is amongst the top ten killer diseases, having a morbidity and mortality rate of 60/100 and 0.01/1000 respectively in pregnant women as recorded in 2013. The usage of IPTp is one of the recommended interventions by WHO to mitigate its impact in stable transmission zones such as Sub-Saharan African regions and also to ensure the best outcome for both the mother and her unborn child. Despite the availability of IPTp services offered in the health facilities, the uptake of IPTp is still very low.

Aim: This study aims to traverse the experiences of pregnant women regarding the utilization of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in the Buchi township of Kitwe.

Methodology: The study will utilize an explorative qualitative design in which convenient sampling will be used to select participants to participate in the study. Data collection will be done through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews data collection will continue until the saturation point thematic content analysis will then be used to analyse the qualitative data.

Possible outcomes: This study aimed at identifying the factors influencing the utilization of IPTp Buchi area of Kitwe, improve the knowledge of IPTp treatment in women and with the health institutions, help them see where they are lacking in the sector of IPTp-SP thus help change or amplify their policies in regards to the above and also establish guidelines if none on the adoption of IPTp services and thereby increasing the health status of pregnant women and their unborn babies leading to reduced maternal morbidity and mortality rates.