Table 2 Question items used to measure IPTp/ANC ideation among female caregivers

General malaria ideation index

 Interpersonal communication about risk of malaria

In the past year, have you discussed malaria in pregnancy with your spouse or friends? Yes

 Malaria knowledge

What causes malaria? Mosquito bites*

What are some things that can happen to you when you have malaria? Fever

What are the things that people can do to stop them from getting malaria? Respondent mentioned at least one of prevention methods  (e.g. sleep under a mosquito net)

 Perceived severity of malaria

I don’t worry about malaria because it can be easily treated*

Every case of malaria can potentially lead to death*

When my child has a fever, I almost always worry that it might be malaria*

When someone I know gets malaria, I usually expect them to completely recover in a few days*

When my child has a fever, I usually wait a couple of days before going to a health provider*

My children are so healthy that they would be able to recover from a case of malaria*

Only weak children can die from malaria*

 Perceived susceptibility of malaria

During the rainy season, I worry almost every day that someone in my family will get malaria*

People in this community only get malaria during rainy season*

People only get malaria when there are lots of mosquitoes*

 Self-efficacy to prevent malaria

I could probably easily protect myself from getting malaria*

I could probably easily protect my children from getting malaria*

IPTp/ANC ideation index

 Descriptive norm

Generally, how many women in your community receive at least four check-ups from a health provider when they are pregnant? All women, most women, at least half of the women

 Interpersonal communication

In the past year, have you discussed malaria in pregnancy with your spouse or friends? Yes

 IPTp knowledge

What is the name of the medicine that is given to pregnant women to keep them from getting malaria? SP/Fansidar/Paludar/Paludoxine

When should a pregnant woman start to take this medicine to keep from getting malaria? When the baby first moves or at the start of the 4th month or second trimester

How many times during her pregnancy should a woman receive this medicine? Two or more

 Attitudes toward IPTp/ANC

When a woman thinks she is pregnant, she should see a health provider as soon as possible*

Pregnant women often feel sick when they take medicine on an empty stomach*

Even if a woman thinks she may be pregnant, she should wait a few months to know for certain before she sees a health provider*

Health care providers will only give a pregnant woman medicine if they know for certain that it is not harmful to her or to her baby*

 Response efficacy

Pregnant women are still at risk for malaria even if they take the medicine that is meant to keep them from getting malaria*

 Participation in health care decisions

In your household, who usually makes decisions about health care for yourself—you, your spouse, you and your spouse, or someone else? Respondent, joint decision with spouse*