Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Malaria Prevention and Control Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH) In Hoima District

Although significant progress has been made in the fight against malaria in recent years, the disease still claims 655,000 lives annually and infects approximately 219 million people. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria, which increases the risk of adverse health outcomes for both mothers and children. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria prevention and control among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in Hoima District. The study employed a descriptive design and involved 196 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. The findings revealed poor knowledge regarding the use of mosquito sprays to kill mosquitoes, although all mothers were aware that mosquito bites are associated with malaria transmission. Additionally, there was a negative attitude towards malaria prevention, with 52.9% of participants believing that preventing mosquito bites is difficult. The study also found low utilization of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) prophylaxis (41.2%), limited use of mosquito repellents (17.6%), and inadequate practice of draining stagnant water among malaria-positive mothers. In conclusion, the study found a high malaria prevalence of 17.9% among pregnant women at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. It is recommended that mass sensitization campaigns be conducted to educate pregnant women on malaria prevention and control. Additionally, there should be a continuous supply of mosquito nets and increased access to preventive measures such as IPT to reduce the burden of malaria among expectant mothers. Keywords: Malaria, Pregnancy, Prevention, Antenatal Care, Hoima Hospital