Uptake of four or more doses of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy in Zambia: findings from the 2018 malaria in pregnancy survey.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of the uptake of four or more doses of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP 4+) in Zambia.

Design: A cross-sectional study using secondary data from the malaria in pregnancy survey (Malaria Indicator Survey) data set conducted from April to May 2018.

Setting: The primary survey was conducted at community level and covered all the 10 provinces of Zambia.

Participants: A total of 3686 women of reproductive age (15-45 years) who gave birth within the 5 years before the survey.

Primary Outcome: Proportion of participants with four or more doses of IPTp-SP.

Statistical Analysis: All analyses were conducted using RStudio statistical software V.4.2.1. Descriptive statistics were computed to summarise participant characteristics and IPTp-SP uptake. Univariate logistic regression was carried out to determine association between the explanatory and outcome variables. Explanatory variables with a p value less than 0.20 on univariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model and crude and adjusted ORs (aORs) along with their 95% CIs were computed (p<0.05).

Results: Of the total sample of 1163, only 7.5% of participants received IPTp-SP 4+. Province of residence and wealth tertile were associated with uptake of IPTp-SP doses; participants from Luapula (aOR=8.72, 95% CI (1.72 to 44.26, p=0.009)) and Muchinga (aOR=6.67, 95% CI (1.19 to 37.47, p=0.031)) provinces were more likely to receive IPTp-SP 4+ compared with to those from Copperbelt province. Conversely, women in the highest wealth tertile were less likely to receive IPTp-SP 4+ doses compared with those in the lowest quintile (aOR=0.32; 95% CI (0.13 to 0.79, p=0.014)).

Conclusion: These findings confirm a low uptake of four or more doses of IPTp-SP in the country. Strategies should focus on increased coverage of IPTp-SP in provinces with much higher malaria burden where the risk is greatest and the ability to afford healthcare lowest.