Abstract:
In most endemic areas of the world, pregnant women are the main adult risk group for
malaria. They are four times more likely to suffer attacks of symptomatic malaria than other adults.
Malaria in pregnancy increases the risk of severe maternal anaemia, low birth weight and death.
Studies have shown that Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine prevents malaria in pregnancy and improves
maternal haemoglobin and infant birth weight. The study investigated the use of Sulphadoxine
Pyrimethamine in the prevention of malaria in pregnancy using the Directly Observed Therapy
(DOT) in the Kpeshie sub-Metropolis. A quantitative research design was used. A total of 400
mothers who delivered at the La General hospital within the study period and consented to
participate were recruited into this study using purposive sampling. Structured questionnaire was
used to collect data, chart review of maternal records and babies’ birth weight was also carried out.
Data were analy sed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.
The study established that the Directly Observed Therapy using Sulphadoxine
Pyrimethamine is not being properly followed as stipulated by the Ghana Health Sendee.
Majority of the mothers (69%) indicated knowledge of the use of Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine
during pregnancy but only 51 % of them actually used it. Only 13.1 % of the mothers took the
recommended three doses of the SP. The number of times a mother took the SP the better her
haemoglobin level (p = 0.005). Finally, this study did not establish any clear relationship
between the number of times a participant took SP and their infant birth weight (p = 0.78). In
conclusion, the use of Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine in preventing malaria in pregnancy using the
Directly Observed therapy is well known in Ghana but its use needs to be enhanced through
proper education of both the Service Providers and the Pregnant women.
