Availability and Utilization of Malaria Prevention Strategies in Pregnancy in Eastern India

Availability and Utilization of Malaria Prevention Strategies in Pregnancy in Eastern India

By: Blair J. Wylie, Ahmar H. Hashmi, Neeru Singh, Mrigendra P. Singh, Jordan Tuchman
Publication: BMC Public Health10 (557) (September 2010)

Abstract

A cross-sectional study conducted in two states of India during 2006-08 found a disconnect between routine antenatal practices in India and known strategies to prevent and treat malaria in pregnancy. Prevention strategies, in particular the use of insecticide-treated bednets, are underutilized. Gaps highlighted by this study combined with recent estimates of the prevalence of malaria during pregnancy in these areas should be used to revise governmental policy and target increased educational efforts among health care workers and pregnant women.