DOI: njcpt.com.ng/101.1.2.11
Corresponding Author: Dayom Danlami Wetkos
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Jos, Plateau State,
Nigeria (Orchid ID: 0000-0002-2902-2831)
Email: dayomd123@yahoo.com
Abstract
Background: Malaria remains a serious challenge to health providers in Nigeria, affecting the economy nationally
and at the individual level. The prophylactic use of sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine, called intermittent preventive
treatment (IPT), is currently the prophylactic strategy for malaria prevention in Nigeria.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the opinions and preferences of healthcare implementors of the IPT policy
compared to an alternative strategy called intermittent screening and treatment (IST) of malaria in pregnancy.
Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted among healthcare providers in study facilities
where a clinical trial was conducted. These clinical trials compared the clinical outcomes of intermittent
preventive therapy (IPT) and intermittent screening and treatment (IST) using malaria rapid diagnostic test
(mRDT). These qualitative findings provided indications of providers' preference for either intervention.
Results: More (55%) health providers preferred IST to IPT (41%), and being responsible for prescribing in their
respective facilities was found to significantly (p<0.05) influence their choice for IST over IPT for malaria in
pregnancy. Most of the reasons for this choice revolved around the consideration that IPT is treatment without
indication compared with the motivation to take the drug based on investigational findings (through IST) that
there is a malaria parasite in the blood.
Conclusion: Most health providers in these settings preferred IST to IPT for malaria in pregnancy. This choice,
however, was not without the recognition that the mRDT needs to work better than they have experienced so far.
Therefore, staff training on the principles of IST and the use of mRDT is required to implement an IST programme.
Keywords: Choice/rejection, Antenatal caregivers, in-depth interview, malaria in pregnancy, prevention
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