Pregnant women’s knowledge and perception about antenatal care and prevention of malaria in Ghana

The study investigated pregnant women’s perceptions, beliefs and practices on the use of   Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) for primary prevention of malaria in pregnancy. The objectives included assessing pregnant women’s knowledge and benefits of antenatal care services, attitudes and practices on antenatal clinic attendance and perceptions regarding the use of Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) in pregnancy. An exploratory qualitative research method was used. The population included all pregnant women in a Municipality. Sampling was purposive and the sample size was (14) based on saturation. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth interviews among pregnant women in homes. The Tesch in Creswell (2009) content analysis protocol was used to analyze the data. Five overarching themes emerged with several categories including bizarre beliefs about the dangerous effects of the three tablets dosage of SP on the foetus. The study concluded there was lack of health education for pregnant women by Midwives’ about the drug SP and no vigilance for its administration under the directly observed treatment (DOTs). The study recommended the three tablets dosage of the drug SP should be formulated into one Tablet but same dosage, whilst in-service training should be given to midwives regarding the DOTs of Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP).