Pregnant women are vulnerable to malaria due to their reduced
level of immunity. Malaria in pregnancy is associated with adverse effects
such as anaemia, low birth weight (LBW), prematurity, maternal death, stillbirth,
miscarriage, and inter-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and the risk of HIV
infection. To prevent these adverse effects, the World Health Organization
recommends the use of Intermittent Prevention Treatment (IPT) of malaria by
all pregnant women at risk of malaria infection. Most African countries such
as Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi have implemented the Intermittent Preventive
Treatment (IPT) policy. However, it is not known whether IPT is applicable
to South Africa. Furthermore, data on the burden of malaria in South Africa
is needed to support implementation of IPT policy. Therefore, this Project
was established to determine the burden of malaria and the effects of malaria
on birth outcomes in pregnant women who live in malarious areas of South Africa. Collaborators Funders This Project forms part of the monitoring and evaluation of
the malaria situation within the LSDI Malaria Control Programme. The aim is
to measure and compare the prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women and children
in different zones of the LSDI area with different years of vector control.
The focus on pregnant women and children is motivated by the fact that the
burden of malaria is high in these groups of the population. Another reason
is that malaria infection during pregnancy is associated with well known adverse
effects such as anaemia, low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity,
perinatal and maternal mortality. Collection of data on anaemia in the LSDI
area (KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and Mozambique) will provide an opportunity
to compare and assess the impact of the LSDI malaria control intervention
in these areas. The objectives of this study are: The project is planned to commence in 2005. Collaborators Funders Research
Malaria in pregnancy in South Africa
Malaria Research Programme, Medical Research Council
Manguzi Hospital, Department of Health, Kwangwanase, KwaZulu-Natal
Mosvold Hospital, Department of Health, Ingwavuma, KwaZulu-Natal
Ndumu Clinic, Department of Health, Ndumu, KwaZulu-Natal
Malaria Control Programmes, Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo
and Mpumalanga Provinces
Medical Research Council
National Department of Health, South Africa
World Health Organisation, Regional Office for AfricaThe prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women
and children in the LSDI area of Southern Africa
• to determine the prevalence of malaria in pregnant women and children
aged under 15 years.
• to measure the level of anaemia in pregnant women and children aged
under 15 years
The Medical Research Council
The Mozambique Ministry of Health, Mozambique
Malaria Control Programme, Swaziland Ministry of Health, Swaziland
Malaria Control Programme, Department of Health, Jozini, South African
Global Fund