Health Education and Uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Malaria Among Pregnant Women in Zamfara State

Malaria in pregnancy poses severe risks to both mother and child, including maternal anaemia, low birth weight, and infant mortality. Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is the recommended preventive strategy for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, yet uptake remains suboptimal in high-burden states. This study examined the role of health education in improving uptake of intermittent preventive treatment among pregnant women in Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with 170 pregnant women in their second and third trimesters recruited from antenatal clinics in Gusau, Kaura Namoda, and Talata Mafara local government areas. A validated interviewer-administered questionnaire assessed exposure to antenatal health education and uptake of intermittent preventive treatment doses. Chi-square and logistic regression were used in analysis. Results showed that women who received structured health education on malaria prevention during antenatal care were 2.8 times more likely to have completed two or more doses of intermittent preventive treatment. Key barriers included fear of drug side effects and irregular health education delivery by overburdened antenatal care providers. The study recommended strengthening antenatal health education on malaria and improving provider capacity for counselling in Zamfara State. Keywords: intermittent preventive treatment, malaria in pregnancy, health education, Zamfara State, antenatal care