Malaria Research Capacity Development (MARCAD) in West and Central Africa

Project Overview

The study aims to ascertain the burden of prenatal parasitic infections and the factors, including individual and community level factors, which contribute to the prevalence of maternal anaemia and incidence of LBW among a cohort of pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in district hospitals in the Ashanti and Volta regions of Ghana.

Research Outcomes and innovations: The preliminary findings suggest health system, socio-cultural, economic, environmental and individual factors influenced Long Lasting Insecticide treated Nets (LLIN) use. Health facility readiness in stocking LLINs influenced ownership and use. Receiving appropriate information from health providers and encouragement from public officials improved LLIN use. Women with a history of LLIN use prior to becoming pregnant and women who had young children remained consistent users.

Experiencing irritating effects of LLINs and preference for traditional methods to wade off mosquitoes, reduced LLIN use. Pregnant women whose household and family members used LLINs were influenced positively to use them. Gender power relations between husbands and wives influenced women’s use of LLINs. The type of housing and weather conditions contributed to inconsistent use. Staying out late for business purposes and to converse, exposed pregnant women to mosquito bites. Recommendations include giving out LLINs at facility level should be accompanied with comprehensive information, which is relevant to the socio-cultural context that women live in. Mass distribution should factor in individual and public information to promote community acceptance and proper use of LLINs. Facilities should be encouraged to constantly maintain LLINs stock in order to ensure that ANC registrants receive LLINs for use.