Background The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its complications, remain very high in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the effects of a malaria health educational intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model on malaria preventive practices and pregnancy outcomes. Methods The study was a randomized controlled parallel-group study, where 372 randomly selected antenatal care attendees were randomly assigned to one of either two groups after collecting baseline data. The intervention group then received a four-hour health education intervention in Hausa language, which was developed based on the IMB model, while the control group received a similarly designed health education on breastfeeding. Follow up data were then collected from the participants at a first (2 months post-intervention) and second (4 months post-intervention) follow up, and at the end of their pregnancies. Results For both groups, reported ITN use had increased from baseline (Intervention: Often–14.0%, Almost always–9.1; Control: Often–12.4%; Almost always 16.1%) to the time of second follow up (Intervention: Often –28.10%, Almost always–24.5; Control: Often–17.2%; Almost always 19.5%). Reported IPTp uptake at second follow up was also higher for the intervention group (Intervention: Two doses–59.0%, Three doses 22.3%; Control group: Two doses–48.4%, Three doses–7.0%). The drop in the haematocrit levels was greater for the control group (32.42% to 30.63%) compared to the intervention group (33.09% to 31.93%). The Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) analysis revealed that the intervention had significantly improved reported ITN use, reported IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels, but had no significant effect on the incidence of reported malaria diagnosis or babies’ birth weights. Conclusions The intervention was effective in improving ITN use, IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels. It is, therefore, recommended for the modules to be adopted and incorporated into the routine antenatal care programmes in health centres with predominantly Hausa speaking clients. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR201610001823405. Registered 26 October 2016, www.pactr.org.

Background: The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its complications, remain very high in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the effects of a malaria health educational intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model on malaria preventive practices and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled parallel-group study, where 372 randomly selected antenatal care attendees were randomly assigned to one of either two groups after collecting baseline data. The intervention group then received a four-hour health education intervention developed based on the IMB model, while the control group received a similarly designed health education on breastfeeding, and were then followed-up to the end of their pregnancies. The intention-to-treat analysis using the generalized linear mixed models was used to analyse the data obtained. Results: The reported frequency of ITN use and dose of IPTp taken, were higher in the intervention group by 0.32 levels (p=0.024) and 0.37 doses (p<0.001) respectively, implying that for 32% and 37% of the participants, an individual in the intervention group slept more frequently under an ITN by one day, and had also took one dose of IPTp more than an individual in the control group. The intervention group also achieved a haematocrit level of 0.80% higher than the control group. The intervention however, had no significant effect on the incidence of malaria diagnosis or babies’ birth weights. Conclusion: The intervention was effective in improving ITN use, IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels. It is therefore recommended for the module to be adopted and incorporated into the routine antenatal care programmes in the state. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR201610001823405. Registered 26 October 2016, www.pactr.org.

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Background: The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its complications, remain very high in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the effects of a malaria health educational intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model on malaria preventive practices and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled parallel-group study, where 372 randomly selected antenatal care attendees were randomly assigned to one of either two groups after collecting baseline data. The intervention group then received a four-hour health education intervention developed based on the IMB model, while the control group received a similarly designed health education on breastfeeding, and were then followed-up to the end of their pregnancies. The intention-to-treat analysis using the generalized linear mixed models was used to analyse the data obtained. Results: The reported frequency of ITN use and dose of IPTp taken, were higher in the intervention group by 0.32 levels ( p =0.024) and 0.37 doses ( p <0.001) respectively, implying that for 32% and 37% of the participants, an individual in the intervention group slept more frequently under an ITN by one day, and had also took one dose of IPTp more than an individual in the control group. The intervention group also achieved a haematocrit level of 0.80% higher than the control group. The intervention however, had no significant effect on the incidence of malaria diagnosis or babies’ birth weights. Conclusion: The intervention was effective in improving ITN use, IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels. It is therefore recommended for the module to be adopted and incorporated into the routine antenatal care programmes in the state.

BackgroundThe prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its complications, remain very high in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the effects of a malaria health educational intervention based on the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model on malaria preventive practices and pregnancy outcomes. MethodsThe study was a randomized controlled parallel-group study, where 372 randomly selected antenatal care attendees were randomly assigned to one of either two groups after collecting baseline data. The intervention group then received a four-hour health education intervention in Hausa language, which was developed based on the IMB model, while the control group received a similarly designed health education on breastfeeding. Follow up data were then collected from the participants at a first (two months post-intervention) and second (four months post-intervention) follow up, and at the end of their pregnancies. ResultsFor both groups, reported ITN use had increased from baseline (Intervention: Often – 14.0%, Almost always – 9.1; Control: Often – 12.4%; Almost always 16.1%) to the time of second follow up (Intervention: Often – 28.10%, Almost always – 24.5; Control: Often – 17.2%; Almost always 19.5%). Reported IPTp uptake at second follow up was also higher for the intervention group (Intervention: Two doses – 59.0%, Three doses 22.3%; Control group: Two doses – 48.4%, Three doses – 7.0%). The drop in the haematocrit levels was greater for the control group (32.42% to 30.63%) compared to the intervention group (33.09% to 31.93%). The Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) analysis revealed that the intervention had significantly improved reported ITN use, reported IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels, but had no significant effect on the incidence of reported malaria diagnosis or babies’ birth weights. ConclusionsThe intervention was effective in improving ITN use, IPTp uptake, and haematocrit levels. It is, therefore, recommended for the modules to be adopted and incorporated into the routine antenatal care programmes in health centres with predominantly Hausa speaking clients.