Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and future intentions to use intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine among pregnant women in southern Ghana

Introduction: Malaria in pregnancy is a significant public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting an estimated 32 million pregnant women annually. One of WHO’s recommendations for malaria prevention is the use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). However, reports indicate that less than 100% of women in Ghana access IPTp service. This study explored knowledge, attitudes, uptake and future intentions to take IPTp-SP among pregnant women in southern Ghana. Methodology: An ethnographic study design was used. In-depth interviews were carried out among 70 pregnant women in Ghana. The interviews were recorded digitally, transcribed, and uploaded into NVivo Version 11 for coding and thematic analysis. All ethical procedures were followed. Results: Majority of the study participants received three or more doses of SP, suggesting that healthcare facilities were implementing the revised national guidelines. Most particpants were aware of the benefits of SP in malaria prevention and expressed trust in the guidance provided by healthcare providers. Participants lacked knowledge on the exact timing and number of SP doses required during pregnancy and they expressed their desire to receive information from healthcare providers. Despite some women experiencing side effects such as nausea and dizziness in taking SP, most of them continued to adhere to the prescribed SP regimen and indicated their intention to continue taking it due to its benefits. Conclusion: Strengthening communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women regarding dosing schedules, potential side effects, and follow-up doses could improve adherence and optimize the effectiveness of malaria prevention strategies.