Pregnancy-associated Malaria, Challenges and Prospects in Sub-Saharan Africa

Pregnancy-associated malaria remains a major risk to the pregnant woman, her foetus and infants in sub- Saharan Africa. Infection by Plasmodium falciparum significantly affects maternal, foetal and neonatal wellbeing. Maternal anaemia, low birth weight, preterm labour, spontaneous abortion, and maternal and neonatal mortalities are some of its consequences. It complicates maternal immunological response and possibly also selfishly pre-empt foetal immunological response by transplacental communications. Therefore, the impacts may extend well beyond the duration of pregnancy and the immediate period post-delivery. Effective case management and prevention continue to yield positive results, but challenges still remains especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The challenges of antenatal service provision, compliance with intermittent preventive treatment at pregnancy by sulfadoxinepyrimethamine (IPTp-SP), widespread SP resistance, and resistance to insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and insecticides continue to complicate efforts at PAM control in sub-Saharan Africa. Hopefully, the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030 will comprehensively consider these challenges and improve the prospect of every pregnant woman in sub-Saharan Africa.