Background: Febrile disease is very common among pregnant
women in developing countries and sometimes not given relevant due diligence
and perceived as a minor or common malaria situation. However, febrile disease
most times is accompanied with some major disease condition which is life
threatening to the pregnant women. This is a serious health problem that
contributes greatly to morbidity and mortality in most developing economies
including Uganda. In Mityana District of Uganda, 4 in 10 pregnancy deaths are
malaria related and mothers who do not seek treatment in health facilities when
they experience febrile illnesses. This is a major health challenge.
Aim: The present study was undertaken to identify factors
associated with treatment-seeking behavior among pregnant women suffering from
febrile illnesses suspected to be malaria in Ssekanyonyi Sub-County in Mityana
District, Uganda.
Methods: A cross-sectional study in which questionnaires
were administered to 198 expectant mothers to generate data on their
socio-demographics and treatment seeking behaviour. SPSS software version 20.0
was used for data analysis and a Logistic Regression model was fitted to
identify factors that independently influenced their treatment-seeking
behavior. Relevant REC authorization and standard operating procedures of the
Uganda Ministry of Health were duly followed.
Results: Out of the198 expectant mothers enrolled in the
study, 42.9% were aged 15-25 years, 73.7% had achieved Secondary education, and
46.5% were married. The treatment-seeking behavior was found to be standing at
only 56.6%. Among the different factors studied, health education on malaria
(AOR = 3.68, P = 0.000), the attitude of midwives (AOR = 1.45, P = 0.003),
patient care (AOR = 0.33, P = 0.030), and attitude of the pregnant mother (AOR
= 5.38, P = 0.000) were found to be statistically significantly associated with
treatment-seeking behavior among pregnant mothers with febrile illnesses. The
results show that the attitude of midwives is significantly associated with
treatment-seeking behavior for febrile illnesses assumed to be malaria among
pregnant mothers.
Conclusion: The study concluded that health education and
awareness on malaria, attitude of midwives and pregnant mothers, and how the
pregnant mothers are handled are the most important factors in positively
affecting treatment seeking behavior among pregnant mothers with febrile
illnesses.
Recommendations: Health education on malaria, midwives'
attitudes, patient treatment, and pregnant mothers' attitudes must all be
addressed in order to prevent febrile infections. The Ministry of Health and
other responsible stakeholders must reinforce health education programs for
women of reproductive age about the dangers of febrile illnesses during
pregnancy. It is also critical to assist midwives in addressing issues related
to their attitudes toward pregnant mothers.
Author(s) Details
Nanjobe Uniah
Department of Public Health, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda.
David R. Mutekanga
Department of Public Health, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda.
Christopher Ddamulira
Department of Public Health, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda.
Stephen S. Kizza
Department of Pathology/ Non-Communicable Diseases, Central Public Health
Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda.
Lawlence Sserwanga
Department of Public Health, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/dhrni/v1/12289F
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