Malaria Day: Stakeholders Identify Reasons Pregnant Women Patronize Unskilled Birth Attendants
It was a gathering of stakeholders in Ibadan, Oyo state capital on Tuesday where issues surrounding malaria in pregnancy, prevention and control, antenatal registration and synergy on the fight against malaria formed a centre stage
The one day symposium with the theme “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world, act now” organized by Oyo state ministry of health and malaria implementing partners was to commemorate the 2024 world malaria day.
Newsarena.ng reports that the event gave opportunity for a panel of discussants to give insights on benefits, dangers of antenatal registration as well as possible reasons pregnant women patronize traditional or unskilled birth attendants rather than government’s primary health care centres.
Mrs Titi Jegede, one of the panelists and malaria focal person, Ibadan North Local Government, Oyo state said impatience of pregnant women to follow routine procedures during antenatal clinics was a major reasons some expectant mothers prefer unskilled health workers.
Also speaking, a specialist from Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Dr Adekunle Obilade who highlighted miscarriage, low birth weight and death as some of the dangers of malaria in pregnancy said pregnant women are more pampered by traditional birth attendants, hence they feel more comfortable with them than patronizing health facilities.
Another speaker, a representative from FOMWAN, Oyo state, Alhaja Usro Oloso said some pregnant women do not have the financial strength to purchase baby needs which are expected to be presented to health workers at government facilities.
Others discussants, including Dr Olaolu Oni and Dr. Motunrayo Fagbola appealed to pregnant women to register for antenatal within the first three months of pregnancy, use insecticide treated net and prioritize clean environment to avoid complications associated with malaria in pregnancy.
Earlier in an address, a medical expert, Dr Oladipupo Olaleye hinted that 16.9 percent of Pregnant Women in Oyo state do not patronize skilled provider while a total of 13.3 percent of Pregnant women do not receive antenatal care.
Dr Olaleye said, in the southwest states, Oyo state recorded 35.4 percent of women between ages 15 and 49 were exposed to malaria messages in the last 6 months through community health workers and volunteers.
Reacting, Oyo state coordinator, USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Mrs Oluwatoyin Afachung who said unskilled health workers provides opportunity for pregnant women to pay for services in instalment, explained that BA-N has worked with community structures, religious leaders and the media to sensitize people on malaria prevention and significance of antenatal registration.
In their goodwill messages, State coordinator, World Health Organization, WHO, Dr Philip Zoto, Malaria Consortium, Dr Taiwo Olarinde and others pledged continuous support to tackling malaria in Oyo state.
Highpoint of the event was an inter-school quiz where Anglican Commercial Secondary School won the first prize, Muslim Grammar School came second and Humani Alaga High School came third.
