Factors influencing the uptake of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study

Background Globally, malaria is a major public health concern and, as a result, most nations recognize the need to prevent malaria among women during pregnancy. Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is one of such interventions recommended for the prevention of malaria-related adverse outcomes. This study, therefore, sought to assess the factors influencing the uptake of IPTp-SP among pregnant women at Trauma and Orthopedic Hospital, Winneba, Ghana. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 391 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Trauma and Orthopedic Hospital, Winneba. Questionnaires were used for the data collection. Statistical analysis was done with STATA version 14.2. Both bivariate and multivariable analyses were done and statistical significance was set at p-value less than 0.05. Results Of the 391 women who participated in the study, 71% completed the recommended dose of three or more IPTp-SP uptake. The multivariable analysis showed that pregnant women who were single [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.01-0.70], Christians (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.10-0.50), traditionalist (AOR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.02-0.42), Mole-Dagbanis (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.02-0.91), those who were self-employed (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09-0.82), those with parity 4 and above (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.11-0.82), and those without knowledge of malaria treatment were less likely to take optimal (3+) doses of IPTp-SP compared to those who were married, Muslims, Akans, government workers, those with parity 0, and those who had no knowledge of malaria treatment respectively. However, those who had tertiary level of education (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.05-2.45) and those who stated that there are no side effects associated with the use of IPTp-SP (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.15-14.69) were, respectively, more likely to take optimal doses of IPTp-SP compared to those with no formal education and those who indicated that there are side effects associated with the uptake of IPTp-SP. Conclusion The rate of uptake of optimal doses of IPTp-SP among pregnant women at Trauma and Orthopaedic Hospital, Winneba was relatively high. Marital status, religion, educational level, employment, parity, and knowledge of malaria treatment and side effects of IPTp-SP were statistically significantly associated with the uptake of IPTp-SP. In light of these findings, it is recommended that the Ministry of Health, National Malaria Control Programme, Ghana Health Service, and other stakeholders consider these factors when planning and carrying out programs geared towards improving the uptake of IPTp-SP among pregnant women in Winneba. It is also imperative for stakeholders to work to ensure an improvement in the basic knowledge of malaria.