Background Since 2014, Burkina Faso has adopted the new policy of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). We assessed the effect of the 3-dose strategy of IPTp-SP on reducing the prevalence of malarial infection, low birth weight (LBW) and maternal anaemia at delivery, as well as associated risks factors in the health district of Yako, 5 years after the update of the national policy.

Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among recently delivered women in health facilities of Yako from July to December 2019. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical and gynaeco-obstetrics history were collected using a standardized questionnaire. We performed a microscopy and measured the haemoglobin level (Hb) by HemoCue. A multivariate logistic analysis was conducted with a significance of p <0.05.

Results Overall, 614 women were included. The average age was 25 ± 6 years and the majority of women (74.59%) were married, illiterate (53.83%) and housewives (69.56%). Over 92% of them said they slept under an insecticide-treated bet net (ITNs). The prevalence of malaria infection was 10.93%. The average birth weight was 2942.2 ± 462.28 grams and 11.06% were born with LBW (birth weight < 2500 grams). The use of the ITNs significantly reduced the risk of LBW, unlike the maternal age (<20 years), hypertension and the female sex of the new-born. Anaemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dl) was found in 54.77% of women, and this anaemia was severe (Hb < 8.0 g/dl) in 5.92% of cases. Young maternal age, maternal fever, malaria infection as well as a history of stillbirth were significantly associated with the risk of severe anaemia. There was no association between the number of doses of SP received and the risk of LBW.

Conclusion The coverage of the IPTp strategy seems to have been improved. Studies on parasite drug resistance are needed.