Abstract
Aim: Malaria in pregnancy is a global health problem because it causes anemia in the mother and may result in abortion, stillbirth, uterine growth retardation, and low birth weight in the newborn. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of HEI on knowledge and adherence to intermittent preventive treatment of malaria among pregnant women at secondary health facilities in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: This quasi-experimental study included pre-, intervention, and post-intervention. The study recruited 871 pregnant women (436 study and 435 control) using multistage sampling. The study used a semi-structured questionnaire (pre- and post-test), follow-up checklist, and health education module. Participants self-administered the semi-structured questionnaire with 57 open-ended and closed-ended questions. Results: About 41% had high malaria awareness, but 93.9% did throughout pregnancy and intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) after health education intervention (HEI). The majority (93.8%) understood malaria transmission methods after HEI. 95.3% understood malaria symptoms after HEI. The HEI shows 95.6% of participants knew a lot about malaria during pregnancy. Post-HEI, 95% knew malaria prophylaxis. After HEI, 95.4% knew malaria-prevention drugs. Intermittent Preventive treatment (IPT) pregnancy dosages were known by 94.3% of respondents post-HEI. Post-HEI, 95.4% of responders knew the interval between IPT dosages, compared to 59.2% pre-HEI. After HEI, 95% of respondents were aware of IPT adverse effects, up from 29.2% pre-HEI. Pre-HEI showed. Conclusions: Results demonstrate HEI promotes malaria IPT adherence during pregnancy. A health education proves a veritable interventional strategy in influencing a mother's understanding of malaria IPT, level of adherence to IPT, and drug adherence to directly observed therapy of IP while pregnant. Thus, nurses and midwives should increase IPT health education during antenatal clinic visits to increase its uptake and adherence among pregnant women and reduce malaria burden and death. Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) for malaria in pregnancy (MiP) IPT must be distributed by the state health ministry to all health facilities-tertiary, secondary, primary, faith-based, and private.