Publications

The study aimed to evaluate how pregnant mothers at Bitereko Health Center III in Mitoomadistrict perceive malaria during pregnancy and propose preventive interventions. Employinga descriptive cross-sectional design encompassing qualitative and quantitative methods, theresearch involved 100 participants from the health center. Data analysis utilized MicrosoftExcel and SPSS software. Results indicated that 80% of pregnant women were knowledgeableabout malaria prevention, including the use of insecticide-treated nets and environmentalmeasures like clearing bushes and stagnant water. However, 20% lacked awareness regardingpreventive measures. Identified predisposing risk factors for malaria during pregnancyencompassed poor nutrition, poverty hindering access to balanced diets, unsanitaryconditions fostering mosquito breeding sites, and inadequate antenatal care. The studyfound significant associations between age, occupation, mental state, and education levelwith knowledge and perception of malaria in pregnancy. Recommendations includedgovernment-led health education during antenatal care focusing on malaria causes,prevention, and management of associated complications. Regular medical check-ups beforeand after delivery were encouraged, along with the consistent use of mosquito nets and otherpreventive measures against malaria.Keywords: Malaria in pregnancy, Insecticide-treated mosquito nets, Pregnant mothers,Mosquito, antenatal care.