Knowledge and Compliance with Health Risk Information on Leaflet of Popular Anti-Malaria Drugs Among Pregnant Women in Abakaliki Urban of Ebonyi State
Malaria, a prevalent health issue in many developing regions, poses a significant threat to pregnant women and their unborn children. Anti-malarial drugs are essential in preventing and managing this disease; however, their usage requires a comprehensive understanding of the potential health benefits , drug potencies and associated risks. This study investigates the knowledge and compliance of pregnant women with the health risk information provided in the leaflets accompanying popular anti-malaria drugs. The study adopted the survey research design and questionnaires were used as instrument for data collection. Two hospitals from Ebonyi state (Federal Teaching Hospital and St. Patrick Mile Four Hospital) were randomly selected. A sample of 30 pregnant women attending antenatal care was surveyed using accidental technique, and their familiarity with the health risk information, reading habits, discussions with healthcare providers, adherence to guidelines, and challenges encountered were analyzed. The findings show that knowledge and compliance play in crucial role in health/medical decision taking among and ensuring the safe and effective use of anti-malarial drugs during pregnancy. However, most of the respondent indicated low legibility of the leaflet contents due to use of language, font face and font size, and lack of interpretative imagery to limit the literacy demands. Again, health leaflets have helped in reducing risks associated with health misinformation among pregnant women in Ebonyi state. The study underscores the necessity for targeted educational interventions and improved communication strategies to enhance awareness and compliance among pregnant women, ultimately contributing to better maternal and fetal health outcomes and recommend that medical leaflets be made more eligible with pictorial interpretation to enhance comprehension.