Perception of Malaria In Pregnancy and Prevention Practice Among Rural Women of Child Bearing Age (15-49) In Zungur, Bauchi, Nigeria

This study was conducted at Zungur District, Bauchi Local Government Area (LGA) to assess the perception of malaria in pregnancy and prevention practice among rural women of child bearing age (15-49). A cross section survey research design, through the use of questionnaire was used in this study. Three hundred respondents were randomly selected for the study.  The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency distribution and chi square analysis to test the hypothesis. Major findings of the study are the existence of misperception of malaria been caused by mosquito, where 18% of the respondents were undecided and 16% disagreed. 39% of the respondents were undecided, 12% strongly disagreed, while 10% disagreed that malaria in pregnancy is a multidimensional public health problem. Also, two-third of the pregnant women in this study was observed to commenced ANC visits late, mostly after 20 weeks of gestation. Health education, intensification of efforts by government on malaria in pregnancy preventive strategies, and conducting of periodic monitoring and sensitization programmes on malaria in pregnancy preventive strategies by civil society organizations should be employed. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency distribution and chi square analysis to test the hypothesis.