Sociocapital – SOCIOCAPITAL

The Prevalence and Risk of Malaria in Pregnancy

April 24, 2024 April 24, 2024 / Brief

Malaria poses significant dangers to pregnant women and their fetuses. Pregnant women face greater risks of malaria complications and mortality compared to non-pregnant women of the same age. Malaria in pregnancy can lead to maternal anemia, fetal loss, preterm birth, low birthweight, and cognitive-developmental delays in infants. Of the five malaria parasite species that infect humans, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the major contributors to adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes. In 2020, malaria in pregnancy was estimated to result in 819 000 low-birthweight babies in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO recommends prompt diagnosis and treatment of malaria in pregnancy as well as malaria prevention with long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine from the second trimester onwards in malaria-endemic areas.

By WHO subregion, prevalence of exposure to malaria during pregnancy in 2022 was highest in west Africa, where about 6.4 million (39.3%) of an estimated 16.2 million pregnant women had malaria infections, and in central Africa, where about 3.4 million (40.1%) of the 8.3 million pregnant women were infected with malaria. The prevalence of malaria infection in pregnant women was lower in the subregion of east and southern Africa (27%) than in other subregions in 2022; however, the number of infected women in east and southern Africa (2.9 million) was similar to that in central Africa (3.4 million).

Nigeria, exemplifies the severity of the issue. It accounts for roughly 25% of the malaria burden in the western African region. Studies conducted within the country have shown alarming prevalence rates, ranging from 63.7% to over 99% of pregnant women testing positive for malaria parasites.

At Sociocapital, we pride ourselves on pioneering transformative health research and interventions aimed at improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) outcomes. We have partnered with national and international bodies to implement reproductive, maternal and child health interventions, including programs to increase access to critical products and commodities using a blend of public health supply chain and market-system strengthening, accelerating innovations such as the Group Antenatal Care, supporting country transition from ironfolic acid to multi-micronutrient supplementation to enhance nutrition in pregnancy, and integrated demand and supply-side interventions to reduce malaria burden, etc. Explore our work here https://sociocapital.org/publications

Mobilising Investment in Women’s Health and Rights: Reflection From 16 Days of Activism

December 10, 2022 December 14, 2022 / Resources

The annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10th (Human Rights Day), provides an important opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize resources to support these efforts. The numbers are still very disturbing across Africa and the globe: more than 5 women or girls are killed every hour by someone in their family; One in three women have been subjected to violence at least once in their lifetime.

With the prevalence of what is considered the most pervasive human rights violation, the prosperity of many societies has been drawn back and we must rally and educate everyone to fight against gender-based violence in our bid to achieve equality and a just world. While it is important that we amplify our voices to join the fight against gender-based violence, mobilizing investment in women’s health and rights is crucial for promoting gender equality and improving the overall health and well-being of women and girls.

Investing in women’s health and rights has numerous benefits. This includes: improved maternal and child health, reduced rates of HIV and other infectious diseases, and increased economic opportunities for women. This in turn can have a positive impact on communities, as well as on the global economy.

To mobilize investment in women’s health and rights, it is important to focus on several key areas. First, there needs to be a strong commitment from governments, donors, and other stakeholders to prioritize and fund these efforts. This can include targeted investments in health care services, education and training programs, and economic empowerment initiatives for women and girls.

Second, it is crucial to engage with and empower women and girls themselves, as well as their communities, to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met. This can include providing training and support to women’s organizations and community-based groups, as well as working with local leaders and decision-makers to advocate for policies and programs that support women’s health and rights.

Finally, it is important to monitor and evaluate the impact of these investments, to ensure that they are effectively addressing the needs of women and girls, and to make any necessary adjustments to improve their effectiveness. This can involve gathering data and evidence, conducting research, and engaging in ongoing dialogue and collaboration with key stakeholders.

As a reflection of our works in the social impact space, Sociocapital strongly believes that mobilizing investment in women’s health and rights is essential for promoting gender equality and improving the lives of women and girls around the world. By focusing on key areas and engaging with stakeholders at all levels, we can help ensure that these investments are effective and sustainable and that they result in real and lasting change for women and girls.