JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND DISEASES
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2705-2214
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JPHD
Start Year: 2018
Email: jphd@integrityresjournals.org
Practice of preventive measures and factors associated with malaria in pregnancy among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria: A community-based cross-sectional study
https://doi.org/10.31248/JPHD2025.160 | Article Number: 7784E4A81 | Vol.8 (1) - April 2026
Received Date: 10 June 2025 | Accepted Date: 18 August 2025 | Published Date: 30 April 2026
Authors: Adeola D. Ademola and Margaret O. Akinwaare
Keywords: Nigeria., Malaria, prevention, maternal health, pregnancy.
Malaria in pregnancy can have devastating consequences on both the mother and her unborn baby. However, it can be prevented if a pregnant woman is well-informed as well as practices preventive measures conscientiously. This assessed the knowledge of malaria and its preventive measures, preventive measure practices, and factors associated with the practice of preventive measures against malaria in pregnancy among pregnant women receiving skilled antenatal care. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study was conducted among pregnant women attending selected antenatal clinics in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. A simple random sampling was used to select 188 pregnant women who participated in the study. A validated self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection, and the results were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Ethical approval was obtained for the study. The study revealed that 150(79.8%) tested negative for malaria. Additionally, the majority of the respondents have a good knowledge (60%) of malaria and its preventive measures, and practised good preventive behaviours (57.4%). Furthermore, some factors such as the presence of stagnant water (p=0.002), overgrown weeds or bushes (p=0.015), and staying outside late at night (p=0.008) were identified as significant risk factors contributing to the occurrence of malaria in pregnancy. Interventions towards addressing the identified barriers to good preventive practices should be implemented, while encouraging better knowledge and preventive practices.
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