Uptake of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in Uganda: a national survey

Background
In spite of the missed opportunities of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in Uganda, scanty literature exist on malaria in pregnancy. To date, empirical national study utilizing the 2018-19 Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey to explore predictors of attaining three or more doses of IPTp-SP in the country is non-existent. This study investigated the factors affecting uptake of three or more IPTp-SP doses as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Methods
Data from the 2018–2019 Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey (2018-19 UMIS) was analysed. Adequate uptake of intermittent preventive therapy with IPTp-SP was the dependent variable for this study. Weighted frequencies and percentages were used to present the proportion of women who had adequate IPTp-SP uptake or otherwise with respect to the independent variables. A three-level multilevel logistic regression was fitted. The Bayesian Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) was used in determining the goodness of fit of all the models.

Results
Less than half of the surveyed women had three or more IPTp-SP doses during their last pregnancies (45.3%). Women aged 15–19 had less odds of receiving at least three IPTp-SP doses compared to those aged 45–49 [aOR = 0.42, Crl = 0.33–0.98]. Poor women [aOR = 0.80, Crl = 0.78–0.91] were less likely to have three or more doses of IPTp-SP relative to rich women. Most disadvantaged regions were aligned with less likelihood of three or more IPTp-SP uptake [aOR = 0.59, CI = 0.48–0.78] compared to least disadvantaged regions. The variation in uptake of three or more IPTp-SP doses was substantial at the community level [σ2 = 1. 86; Crl = 11.12–2.18] than regional level [σ2 = 1.13; Crl = 1.06–1.20]. About 18% and 47% disparity in IPTp-SP uptake are linked to region and community level factors respectively.

Conclusion
IPTp-SP interventions need to reflect broader community and region level factors in order to wane the high malaria prevalence in Uganda. Contextually responsive behavioural change communication interventions are required to invoke women’s passion to achieve the recommended dosage.