Understanding Malaria Prevention Behaviors Among Pregnant Women in the Gambia: Insights From the Health Belief Model
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Abstract
Introduction: Malaria poses a significant threat to pregnant women, increasing the risk of fetal infection and severe health complications. First-time pregnant women are especially vulnerable due to their lower immunity levels. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design and multiple linear regression test results, the study investigated the correlation between Health Belief Model components and malaria prevention behaviors among pregnant women in the Upper River Region, Gambia. Results: The findings revealed that perception of severity significantly influenced malaria prevention behaviors, with a coefficient of 0.238. T-test analyses revealed that only the perception of severity significantly and positively affected malaria preventive actions among pregnant women, with a t-value of 2.344 and a p-value of 0.025. In contrast, other components of the Health Belief Model (HBM), such as perceived vulnerability (t = 0.710, p = 0.482), perceived barriers (t = 1.006, p = 0.322), and self-efficacy (t = -1.260, p = 0.216) didn’t show significant impacts. The perceived benefits component also significantly affected preventive actions (t = -2.252, p
= 0.031). The simultaneous f-test demonstrated that the collective influence of the five HBM components was not statistically significant, with an F-value of 2.376 and a p-value of 0.064. Conclusion: These results suggest that while the perception of malaria severity positively influences preventive behaviors, other HBM components do not significantly impact the adoption of malaria prevention measures among pregnant women. The study underscores the intricate nature of factors influencing malaria prevention behaviors in pregnant women, underscoring the need for customized interventions to enhance these practices.
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