Uptake of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy for malaria: further analysis of the 2016 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey

Background Significant proportions of pregnant women living in malaria-endemic countries throughout the world are exposed to the risk of malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests the use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in at least three doses to achieve the optimal benefit of preventing malaria among pregnant women. Methods The study uses secondary data from the 2016 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey (GMIS). The analysis included a total of 1220 women aged from 15 to 49 who had children under the age of 24 months and who attended antenatal care (ANC) during their pregnancy. Multinomial logistic regression is used to examine the uptake of partial and optimal doses of IPTp-SP. Results The results show that, overall, the proportion of women in Ghana with uptake of IPTp-SP during pregnancy was 63% for three or more doses, 27% for one to two doses, and 10% for no dose. Uptake varies by background characteristics. At the bivariate level, sociodemographic factors (level of education and religion) and knowledge-related factors (exposure to messages on treatment of malaria and covered by health insurance) predicted partial (1-2 doses) or optimal uptake (3+ doses) of IPTp-SP compared to no uptake among pregnant women. The multinomial regression analysis showed that region, education, wealth, and exposure to messages on treatment of malaria are associated with uptake of optimal doses of IPTp-SP compared to partial uptake. Conclusion The Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Control Program, Ghana Health Service, and other stakeholders should take cognizance of these factors in planning programs for improving uptake of IPTp-SP among pregnant women. Efforts should be made by stakeholders to increase women's exposure to mass media messages on the use of IPTp-SP for malaria during pregnancy.