ASSESSMENT OF CAREGIVERS’ PERCEPTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF INTERMITTENT PREVENTIVE TREATMENT OF MALARIA IN UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN BASED ON THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL IN OBIO-AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE

Abstract

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The aim of the study was to assess caregivers’ perception and acceptance of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in under five children based on the health belief model in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. The study was carried out among caregivers of under-five children in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted. Multi-stage sampling method was employed. The study population included all caregivers of under-five children in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State. Multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit participants of a sample size of 359. The structured questionnaire was pre-tested among randomly sampled of under-five caregivers in Port Harcourt LGA, Rivers State. The data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The result of the study indicated that (37.3%) of the participants believe that malaria can be severe in their children. Most of the participants (91.4%) believe that their children are susceptible to malaria, (86.6%) believe that their children are vulnerable to malaria. Majority of the participants (93.3%) were willing to accept IPTi, (7.2%) were willing to adhere to IPTi Also, (34.8%) had high perception of Malaria (severity/susceptibility/vulnerability) while majority of the participants 234(65.2%) had low perception of Malaria (severity/susceptibility/vulnerability). The study thus recommended that health workers should carry out regular health education in hospitals during ante-natal visits, and in communities to create more awareness and knowledge on the IPTi.