Effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Background: Intermittent preventive treatment for malaria using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) is one of the methods proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the burden of malaria in pregnant women. This study evaluated the practice of IPT-SP in UBTH in terms of compliance with the WHO recommendations and maternal outcome; and to explore factors that may facilitate or hinder its implementation. Methods: This study was a mixed method, using the explanatory sequential design. The study population were 420 booked women at term selected randomly. A written informed consent was obtained. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from personal identification card, case notes, and computerized system. Trained medical doctors collected information and peripheral blood samples for malaria parasite (MP) testing and packed cell volume (PCV) using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit and automated haemoglobinometer. The results were grouped into sub-optimal (IPT-SP