Document type
ArticleVersion
Published versionPublication date
Publication license
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/69262
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning malaria in pregnancy: results from a qualitative study in madang, papua new Guinea
Journal Title
Director/Tutor
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Related resource
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Malaria is the leading cause of illness and death in
Papua New Guinea (PNG). Infection during pregnancy with
falciparum or vivax malaria, as occurs in PNG, has health
implications for mother and child, causing complications such as
maternal anemia, low birth weight and miscarriage. This article
explores knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning malaria
during pregnancy and it's prevention in Madang, PNG, a high
prevalence area. METHODS: As part of a qualitative study in
Madang, exploring MiP, participatory techniques (free-listing
and sorting) were conducted along with focus group discussions,
in-depth interviews (with pregnant women, health staff and other
community members) and observations in the local community and
health facilities. RESULTS: The main themes explored were
attitudes towards and knowledge of MiP, its risks, and
prevention. Although there was a general awareness of the term
"malaria", it was often conflated with general sickness or with
pregnancy-related symptoms. Moreover, many preventive methods
for MiP were related to practices of general healthy living.
Indeed, varied messages from health staff about the risks of MiP
were observed. In addition to ideas about the seriousness and
risk of MiP, other factors influenced the uptake of
interventions: availability and perceived comfort of sleeping
under insecticide-treated mosquito nets were important
determinants of usage, and women's heavy workload influenced
Chloroquine adherence. CONCLUSION: The non-specific symptoms of
MiP and its resultant conflation with symptoms of pregnancy that
are perceived as normal have implications for MiP prevention and
control. However, in Madang, PNG, this was compounded by the
inadequacy of health staff's message about MiP.
Subject (English)
Citation
Collections
Citation
ANDREW, Erin V. W., et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning malaria in pregnancy: results from a qualitative study in madang, papua new Guinea. PLoS One. 2015. Vol. 10, num. 4, pags. e0119077. ISSN 1932-6203. [consulted: 16 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/69262