Factors associated with the optimal uptake of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine: The experiences of postpartum women attending child welfare clinics in three rural districts in the Western Region of Ghana

Gifty Amugi, Daniel Tetteh Agudey, Nana Mireku Gyimah, Pius Mensah, Isaac Kwarkye, Gabriel Yelkoang Gozie Yengliereh, Kofi Jean Claude, Bryony Brookman-Eshun and Sylvester Chinbuah

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is a key preventive strategy. However, optimal uptake remains inconsistent despite high antenatal care (ANC) attendance. This study assessed factors associated with optimal IPTp-SP uptake and explored the experiences of postpartum women in rural Ghana. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-method study was conducted among 1,155 postpartum women attending child welfare clinics in Jomoro, Prestea-Huni Valley and Ellembelle districts of the Western Region of Ghana. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were analysed thematically to explore women’s experiences and perceptions. Results: Among the 1,155 women enrolled, 812 (70.3%) took three or more doses of IPTp-SP (IPTp3-SP). Knowledge of malaria in pregnancy was high, with 92.7% correctly identifying its mode of transmission and 91.7% identifying ways of preventing malaria during pregnancy. Factors independently associated with IPTp3-SP included age 10–19 years compared with 20–29 years (aOR 2.17, 95% CI 1.21–3.88), gravidity of three compared with one (aOR 2.67, 95% CI: 1.58–4.50), and gravidity of four compared with one (aOR 1.83, 95% CI: 1.02–3.28). Lower odds were observed among uninsured women (aOR 0.36, 95% CI: 0.20–0.64), single women (aOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42–0.97), and cohabiting women (aOR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34–0.79). ANC attendance showed a strong association with IPTp3-SP: women attending

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0352920

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352920

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