Tanzania: A cultural approach to malaria in pregnancy

Background: Malaria in Pregnancy (MIP) remains a serious health problem for Tanzanian women. The health practitioner community, on the basis of such research and experience on MIP, now has a solid understanding of the barriers to more effective interventions, and can move forward with appropriate combinations of (1) insecticide treated nets, (2) intermittent preventive treatment, and (3) effective case management to address the management and control of Malaria in Pregnancy.

Methods: The student will review current publications and programs concerning malaria in pregnancy for Tanzanian women. The student will make recommendations on how to improve the cultural competency of current programs that treat pregnant women in Tanzania.

Results: The missing link in the reviewed programs for effective care for pregnant women against malaria in pregnancy is community health workers (CHW). In order to achieve sustainable results, programs need to scale up the training of CHWs to have culturally sensitive communication with their clients.

Discussion: The literature revealed that Tanzania women are getting mixed messages about malaria from their communities and the health care providers. A CHW intervention could bridge that gap without isolating women from her traditional values or modern medical practices.