Mathematical models to guide treatment and prevention strategies for P.falciparum malaria during pregnancy.
Project Information
People:
Funders: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Diseases: P.falciparum malaria
Countries involved: Africa
Collaborators:
Despite the dramatic declines in malaria prevalence that have been recorded over the past 10 years malaria in pregnancy continues to be a major public health problem in many parts of the world, and in particular in sub-Saharan Africa where P.falciparum remains endemic.
Prevention programs targeted at pregnancy in Africa currently combine treatment (case-management) with IPTp and the distribution of insecticide-treated nets. The Malaria in Pregnancy (MiP) consortium is considering a number of issues related to these programs, including randomized trials for alternative drugs for treatment and IPTp, both in the context of ITN use in pregnancy, and use of intermittent screening and treatment (IST) as alternative strategies to IPTp in the face of highly seasonal or low/reduced transmissions or exposure in women protected by ITNs. Given the wide heterogeneity in transmission across Africa, a single intervention / set of interventions program is not necessarily appropriate or cost-effective. Furthermore, as transmission continues to decline with the implementation of local elimination programs, there will be a need to shift strategies.
The aims of this project are to develop our existing individual-based simulation of P.falciparum malaria transmission across Africa to incorporate the aetiology of malaria in pregnancy, treatment and interventions, including intermittent preventive therapy for pregnant women (IPTp), screen and treat programs and passive case detection. The model will be used to address issues of appropriate use of IPTp as transmission declines.
