Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp-SP) is an important strategy for preventing malaria in pregnant women and their unborn children. Ghana has adopted IPTp-SP as part of its National Malaria Control Programme, but its uptake remains suboptimal. This study examined the association between adequacy of antenatal care (ANC) and the uptake of at least three doses of IPTp-SP. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (n = 3692). The adequacy of ANC was assessed based on the receipt of the recommended number of ANC visits, the timing of the first ANC visit, receipt of all components of ANC, and receipt of ANC from a skilled provider. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, the uptake of at least three doses of IPTp-SP was 61.3%. Approximately 39.2% of participants had at least 8 ANC visits, 63.6% had their first ANC visit within the first trimester, 75.4% reported receiving all components of ANC and 95.5% received ANC from a skilled provider. In the multivariable model, the odds of receiving at least three doses of IPTp-SP were higher among those who had eight or more ANC visits 1.50 (1.18, 1.90; p = 0.001), who had their first ANC visit within the first trimester 1.74 (1.44, 2.09; p < 0.001), and those who received all components of ANC 1.62 (1.29, 2.03; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Receipt of adequate ANC services is positively associated with the uptake of at least three doses of IPTp-SP. This association is independent of potential confounders. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve access to and the quality of ANC services, thereby increasing the uptake of IPTp-SP during pregnancy.