KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND MALARIA PREVENTIVE PRACTICES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL(RSUTH), PORT HARCOURT.

This study examined the Knowledge, Attitude and Malaria Preventive Practices among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). The 421 study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique from a population of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at RSUTH and the collected data was analysed. Majority 409 (97.2%) of the respondents had a good level of knowledge. Nearly all participants correctly identified the cause of malaria 412 (97.9%) and recognized that pregnant women are at higher risk 378 (89.8%), the serious outcomes 381 (90.5%), and effective prevention methods (e.g.IPTp-SP) 392 (93.1%), ITNs 407 (96.7%), environmental control 414 (98.3%). The exceptionally high level of knowledge in the study likely reflects the sociodemographic profile of the women, 297 (70.5%) had tertiary education and effective antenatal education at RSUTH. Overall attitude toward malaria prevention were overwhelming positive in total, 143 (34%) and 272 (64.6%) fell into the positive or very positive category. For malaria preventive practices, only 139 (33.1%) used ITNs every night, a majority 317 (75.3%) had received IPTp during current pregnancy and also majority 316 (75.1%) respondents preferred hospital/clinics for malaria treatment. For environmental control, use of insecticides 348 (82.7%), clearing of stagnant water 283 (67.2%), and keeping of windows/doors closed at night 274 (65.1%). Age and parity were the only sociodemographic factors significantly associated with attitude. Older respondents (25-44 years) had very positive attitude and level of education 297 (70.5%) likely due to effective antenatal education at RSUTH. Parity was significantly associated with attitude (χ² = 21.070, p = 0.012), with multiparous women more likely to have a very positive attitude. This study showed the respondents had excellent knowledge and attitude toward malaria prevention and many had adopted key preventive practices. Age and parity played great roles in attitudes towards malaria preventive practices and measures like focused antenatal education, giving IPT-SP and provision of ITNs by the government would help reduce its prevalence. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Preventive, Practices