179629 Preventing malaria in pregnancy: Results and recommendations from five sub-Saharan African countries

Monday, October 27, 2008: 11:10 AM

Elaine M. Roman, MPH , Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Rebecca S. Dineen, MS , Maternal and Child Health, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD
Barbara J. Rawlins, MPH , Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Aimee L. Dickerson, BA , Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
William R. Brieger, MPH, CHES, DrPH , Jhpiego, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
     
Malaria in pregnancy accounts for approximately 10,000 maternal deaths and up to 200,000 infant deaths annually in Africa. The World Health Organization promotes a three prong strategy for malaria in pregnancy (MIP) including: uptake of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp), use of insecticide treated nets (ITN)} and prompt and effective case management. This paper shares results, innovative approaches, and lessons learned and reviews recommendations for scale up from five sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda) that have rapidly increased uptake of IPTp and ITNs.

Information and data were collected from program reports, health management information systems and external evaluations. Key success factors included improving the quality of antenatal care/ MIP services and engaging community participation. In Kenya IPTp2 uptake increased from 7% to 37%, in Madagascar IPTp2 uptake increased from 0% to 65%, in Tanzania uptake nearly doubled in target sites and in Uganda uptake increased from 27% to 71%. In Burkina Faso, ITN ownership increased from 22% to 37%. In Tanzania, access to ITNs increased from 75% to 93% and in Uganda, ITN ownership increased from 0% to 27%. MIP programs need to consider policy support and leadership, systems issues, staffing and technical elements such as monitoring and stock outs. For nationwide MIP scale up, countries need to increase investment in strengthening health systems and ensure a comprehensive program approach based on a platform of quality antenatal care.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the problem of malaria in pregnancy. 2. Share the interventions, results and lessons learned from MIP programs in five sub-Sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda). 3. Provide recommendations for scale up.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I do not have a relevant personal financial relationship with a commercial entity that benefits me that may ultimately bias the presentation
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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