Compliance to Malaria Prevention Recommendations among Pregnant Women: Implication for Population Growth and Development in Nigeria

Opeyemi Olodude, Osun State University

Malaria is a serious public health issue in Nigeria. Out of the 15 countries that accounted for 80% of global malaria deaths in 2016, Nigeria has the highest malaria incidence. This study assessed the associated factors predicting compliance to malaria prevention recommendations among pregnant women with a view to providing information on solving the menace of malaria morbidity and maternal mortality among pregnant women in Nigeria. The study employed secondary data extracted from 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey. The level of compliance shows that one out of five did not use any of the malaria prevention recommendations, while only half of the women used at least one of the three recommendations. Only one quarter employed all the malaria prevention recommendations. The study concluded that the rate of full compliance is low and needed to be improved in order to reduce the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women.