Malaria in pregnancy is a frequent and major public health problem in Nigeria. In many countries, malaria is a leading cause of illness and death. In areas with high transmission, the most vulnerable groups are young children, who have not developed immunity to malaria yet, and pregnant women, whose immunity are decreased by pregnancy.
Malaria infection during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both mother and child. It increases a child’s vulnerability to other diseases and causes growth and development to be stunted in the short term. It is connected with a significant economic impact, including a direct loss of productive government labor or educational opportunities. An increased incidence of anaemia, spontaneous abortions, premature labor, fetal distress, congenital infections, fetal death in utero, stillbirths, and intrauterine growth restriction has been linked to malaria exposure during pregnancy.
Most often, Pregnant women stand at higher risk of developing severe and complex malaria than other people. Despite the availability of effective therapies, malaria remains a serious public health problem, and it is responsible for a significant proportion of childhood and maternal death. This is because children have undeveloped and weaker immune systems.
Pregnant women who, because of poverty or a lack of education, do not seek antenatal care and do not have access to preventive malaria treatment may have issues when the disease progressed to an advanced stage. This may result in abortion, stillbirth, early delivery, low birth weight kids, or a high rate of mortality in pregnant women as a result of the situation.
For pregnant women in areas of stable transmission of malaria, World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a three-pronged approach to controlling and combating malaria. They include; intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of asymptomatic pregnant women, the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), as well as prompt and effective case management of malaria.
It is critical for pregnant women to avoid malaria during their pregnancy in order to avoid serious consequences. Pregnant women are delicate, and maintaining their health is essential.
For more information regarding Maternal health visit our website, at hacey.org.
Written By:
Michael Adegboye
