New approaches to improve coverage and compliance of antimalarial treatment for pregnant women in rural Africa

Objective

Malaria during pregnancy is a major public health problem in endemic countries. The administration of an effective antimalarial drug during pregnancy has a beneficial effect on the mother and child's health. However, few African countries have implemented programs that have achieved good coverage and little attention has been given to this problem. We propose to evaluate 2 different approaches for the delivery of antimalarial intermittent treatment to pregnant women: one based on a campaign promoting the use of SP distributed through existing health services and the other on a village-based SP distribution system employing peer educators from an Adolescent Girls' Literacy Programme. Advantages and disadvantages of the 2 approaches will be compared and their applications in different settings evaluated. Results generated by this study will be applicable to a large range of situations in Africa.

Programme(s)

• FP5-INCO 2 - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Confirming the international role of Community research,1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.2.1.-1.4. - Research for development

Funding Scheme

Coordinator

Participants (3)