Factors Associated With The Poor Coverage Of Intermittent Preventive Treatment In Pregnant Women In The Pobe-Adja-Ouere-Ketou Health Zone In Benin

World Health Organization estimates indicate 216 million malaria episodes in 2010, including 81% in the African region. One of the recommended means of prevention in pregnant women is intermittent preventive treatment, until 2012, two doses of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine or three does for a woman living with HIV In the Pobe-Adja-Ouere-Ketou health zone of Benin, coverage of intermittent preventive treatment remains low (49% against a forecast of 80%) several years after implementation of this strategy. We conducted a cross-sectional study in June and July 2012 to identify factors associated with low intermittent preventive treatment coverage in this area.A total of 339 women were interviewed and 48% of them received less than two doses of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine during their prenatal consultations. The variables associated with low intermittent preventive treatment coverage were low antenatal care coverage (p < 0.001) and a prenatal consultation in the private sector (p = 0.039). In the light of our results, actions must be taken by this health zone to encourage women to complete the four visits during pregnancy.