Sociocapital

The Prevalence and Risk of Malaria in Pregnancy

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

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.

Strengthening Africa’s Creative Economy Ecosystem Towards More Resilient and Sustainable Development

In partnership with the Henley Business School, UK and AfriNolly Creative Hub, Lagos, Sociocapital co-created an interactive, modular, and asynchronous Pan-African social impact entrepreneurship e-learning program with learner-directed, self-paced learning content targeted at early-stage entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa but open to users more widely across the continent. The program is currently deployed across Africa as virtual and in-person/hybrid programs with course versions in English and Arabic.

Improving Equitable Access to Skills and Employment Through Apprenticeship and Informal Education

Sociocapital supported the Skills for Prosperity (S4P) Nigeria Project to conduct a detailed country landscape and stakeholder satisfaction survey to: identify and address factors that shape the business environment for technical and vocational education and training (TVET); understand stakeholder’s satisfaction with TVET programmes, apprenticeships, and traineeships; and uncover specific areas related to safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion capacity.

Towards a More Collaborative, Country-Led, and Global Nutrition Response

Sociocapital supported the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the World Food Program to equip and support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), the private sector, as well as humanitarian and development actors within the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network to collaboratively adopt safe and healthy nutrition business practices through the development of global convergence toolkit, technical assistance strategy and revised governance framework.

Advancing the Nigerian Creative Economy through impact Entrepreneurship, Education and Investment

Sociocapital led the development of the National Creative Hub Strategy towards advancing the Nigerian creative economy through impact entrepreneurship, education, and investment. The strategy is positioned to unlock impact capital to foster the growth of the creative economy and the establishment of incubator hubs for the creative industry in Nigeria.

Improving Maternal and Newborn Health outcomes using a Total Market Approach (TMA)

Using data to inform its Total Market Approach (TMA) strategies and measure progress, Sociocapital supported the delivery of a baseline assessment to generate the qualitative insights needed to contribute to the goal of reducing maternal and perinatal mortality in line with the SMGL 2.0 project objectives – improved access to and quality of maternal and new-born care and institutional delivery services; and strengthened collaboration and partnership between government and the private health sector.

Expanding New Contraceptive Technologies Access Through Behaviour-Based Insights and Market-Driven Strategies

In expanding the country’s equitable contraceptive technology access, Sociocapital supported the development of the national Hormonal Intrauterine System (H-IUS) product introduction strategy that addresses specific country requirements from selection to scale-up in a manner that is wholly government-led. The strategy development process was built on market insights based on a realistic contraceptive investment case which incorporated behavioural economics principles, social behaviour changes (SBC) theories and design thinking methodologies.

Strengthening Surveillance Systems for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Use (AMU) Across the Human, Animal, and Environmental Health Sectors

Sociocapital supported Development Alternatives, International (DAI) – the Fleming Funding local partner in Nigeria to develop a comprehensive Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Use (AMU) communication strategy that would drive behaviour change amongst stakeholders in the aquaculture value chain.