Tshivhase, S. E.Makhado, L.Netshilindi, Zwanga Surprise2026-01-142026-01-142025-09-05Netshilindi, Z.S. 2025. Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in selected Primary Health Care facilities in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3073Master of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthMalaria parasitic infections are a significant public health concern in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and are prevalent in developing countries. Malaria is a life-threatening disease that poses a significant public health concern, particularly among expectant women in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Not much information exists on pregnant women's compliance to malaria management in Limpopo. The study aimed to assess the Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in selected primary health care facilities in Thulamela municipality, South Africa. The study used a quantitative and cross-sectional descriptive methodology. The study was conducted in the primary health care facilities chosen in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study used total population sampling to sample all pregnant women with a gestational age between 12 and 37 weeks who attended antenatal clinics. Respondents completed questionnaires within 20-40 minutes. The study included 190 pregnant women, with 108 recruited from Dzwerani Clinic and 82 from Ha-Manavhela Clinic.A pre-test was administered to pregnant women from a neighbouring village to ensure the measuring instrument's validity and modify it. Validity was established by face and content validity. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the instrument's consistency and to validate its reliability. The researcher requested authorization to gather data from the provincial Department of Health and the participants. Data were gathered by a self-administered questionnaire and processed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentages, and correlations. The researcher guaranteed the consideration of research ethics, including informed consent, authorisation, secrecy, beneficence, and privacy. The results of this study show that pregnant women who go to specific basic healthcare facilities don't know much about malaria. Even though 98.4% of the women said they had malaria, a lot of them did not know much about how it spreads, what its signs are, or how to treat it. Only 29.5% of those who took part knew how malaria is spread, showing a lack of knowledge about how to avoid getting the disease. Also, the results showed that people do not know much about current ways to treat malaria. In conclusion, this study revealed a significant knowledge gap regarding malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province. Despite high self-reported malaria prevalence, participants demonstrated limited understanding of malaria transmission, symptoms, and treatment. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education and awareness programs to empower pregnant women with accurate knowledge, ultimately reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population. The study recommended the implementation of Malaria Awareness Campaigns, particularly in regions with high malaria prevalence, to educate the people about the prevention and treatment of malaria.1 online resource (iii, 54 leaves): color illustrations, color mapenAttitudeUCTDKnowledgeMalariaParasitaemiaPerceptionPregnant women614.5320968257Malaria -- South Africa -- LimpopoFever -- South Africa -- LimpopoPregnant women -- South Africa -- LimpopoPregnancy -- ComplicationsPrenatal diagnosis -- South Africa -- LimpopoPrimary healthcare -- South Africa -- LimpopoCommunity health services -- South Africa -- LimpopoDissertationNetshilindi ZS. Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in selected Primary Health Care facilities in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa. []. , 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Netshilindi, Z. S. (2025). <i>Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in selected Primary Health Care facilities in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa</i>. (). . Retrieved fromNetshilindi, Zwanga Surprise. <i>"Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in selected Primary Health Care facilities in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa."</i> ., , 2025.TY - Dissertation AU - Netshilindi, Zwanga Surprise AB - Malaria parasitic infections are a significant public health concern in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and are prevalent in developing countries. Malaria is a life-threatening disease that poses a significant public health concern, particularly among expectant women in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Not much information exists on pregnant women's compliance to malaria management in Limpopo. The study aimed to assess the Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in selected primary health care facilities in Thulamela municipality, South Africa. The study used a quantitative and cross-sectional descriptive methodology. The study was conducted in the primary health care facilities chosen in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study used total population sampling to sample all pregnant women with a gestational age between 12 and 37 weeks who attended antenatal clinics. Respondents completed questionnaires within 20-40 minutes. The study included 190 pregnant women, with 108 recruited from Dzwerani Clinic and 82 from Ha-Manavhela Clinic.A pre-test was administered to pregnant women from a neighbouring village to ensure the measuring instrument's validity and modify it. Validity was established by face and content validity. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the instrument's consistency and to validate its reliability. The researcher requested authorization to gather data from the provincial Department of Health and the participants. Data were gathered by a self-administered questionnaire and processed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentages, and correlations. The researcher guaranteed the consideration of research ethics, including informed consent, authorisation, secrecy, beneficence, and privacy. The results of this study show that pregnant women who go to specific basic healthcare facilities don't know much about malaria. Even though 98.4% of the women said they had malaria, a lot of them did not know much about how it spreads, what its signs are, or how to treat it. Only 29.5% of those who took part knew how malaria is spread, showing a lack of knowledge about how to avoid getting the disease. Also, the results showed that people do not know much about current ways to treat malaria. In conclusion, this study revealed a significant knowledge gap regarding malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province. Despite high self-reported malaria prevalence, participants demonstrated limited understanding of malaria transmission, symptoms, and treatment. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education and awareness programs to empower pregnant women with accurate knowledge, ultimately reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population. The study recommended the implementation of Malaria Awareness Campaigns, particularly in regions with high malaria prevalence, to educate the people about the prevention and treatment of malaria. DA - 2025-09-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Attitude KW - Knowledge KW - Malaria KW - Parasitaemia KW - Perception KW - Pregnant women LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in selected Primary Health Care facilities in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa TI - Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in selected Primary Health Care facilities in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa UR - ER -