UTILIZATION OF ANTIMALARIAL-DRUGS BY PREGNANT-WOMEN ATTENDING THE ANTENATAL CLINIC AT MUHIMBILI MEDICAL-CENTER, DAR-ES-SALAAM

Two hundred women in early second trimester were recruited in a study to monitor the utilisation of antimalarial drugs prescribed for prophy laxis or treatment of malaria during their attendance at the antenatal clinic of Muhimbili Medical Centre, Information regarding the use of antimalarial drugs was obtained during an interview using a structured questionnaire and antenatal cards, The study revealed that 51.5% had taken antimalarials for treatment of acute malaria while 23.5% had tak en for prophylaxis. There was thus a total exposure of 75%. Most of th em were exposed to choloroquine (69.5%). There was no statistically si gnificant association between the taking of chloroquine and its presen ce in urine and between the level of education and the taking of chlor oquine prophylactically.