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Access to and use of preventive intermittent treatment for Malaria during pregnancy: A qualitative study in the Chókwè district, Southern Mozambique
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, Vol 14, Iss 1, p e0203740 (2019), PLoS ONE
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2019.
-
Abstract
- Background Malaria remains a significant health problem in Mozambique, particularly in the case of pregnant women and children less than five years old. Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) is recommended for preventing malaria in pregnancy (MiP). Despite the widespread use and cost-effectiveness of IPTp-SP, coverage remains low. In this study, we explored factors limiting access to and use of IPTp-SP in a rural part of Mozambique. Methods and findings We performed a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 46 pregnant women and four health workers in Chokwe, a rural area of southern Mozambique. Data were transcribed, translated where appropriate, manually coded, and the content analyzed according to key themes. The women interviewed were not aware of the risks of MiP or the benefits of its prevention. Delays in accessing antenatal care, irregular attendance of visits, and insufficient time for proper antenatal care counselling by health workers were driving factors for inadequate IPTp delivery. Conclusions Pregnant women face substantial barriers in terms of optimal IPTp-SP uptake. Health system barriers and poor awareness of the risks and consequences of MiP and of the measures available for its prevention were identified as the main factors influencing access to and use of IPTp-SP. Implementation of MiP prevention strategies must be improved through intensive community health education and increased access to other sources of information. Better communication between health workers and ANC clients and better knowledge of national ANC and IPTp policies are important.
- Subjects :
- Rural Population
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Maternal Health
Health Care Providers
Nurses
Pediatrics
Health Services Accessibility
Geographical Locations
0302 clinical medicine
Pregnancy
Medicine and Health Sciences
Public and Occupational Health
Medical Personnel
030212 general & internal medicine
Young adult
Referral and Consultation
Mozambique
Qualitative Research
Multidisciplinary
Communication
Child Health
Attendance
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Prenatal Care
Anemia
Hematology
Drug Combinations
Professions
Pyrimethamine
Health Education and Awareness
Community health
Medicine
Female
Engineering sciences. Technology
Research Article
Adult
Health Personnel
Science
030231 tropical medicine
MEDLINE
Antimalarials
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
Antenatal Care
Environmental health
Sulfadoxine
parasitic diseases
Parasitic Diseases
medicine
Humans
business.industry
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Tropical Diseases
medicine.disease
Malaria
Health Care
Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic
People and Places
Africa
Women's Health
Population Groupings
Rural Health Services
Rural area
business
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....727d43c44f82635527db2d69786d94ec