TreatPreg

Pregnant women in Africa are exposed to considerable health risks, with parasitic infections being a major threat. Schistosomes, soil-transmitted helminths, and malaria parasites are highly prevalent and polyparasite infections are common. In pregnancy, besides iron deficiency parasites are a key factor causing anaemia associated with an increased risk of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. More than 50% of the pregnant women are affected by anaemia and an estimated 0.8 million pregnant women globally have severe anaemia. Antenatal care is a health program to regularly deliver health services including preventive measures with the aim of improving maternal and newborn health. In terms of fighting parasitic diseases, WHO recommends to preventively treat soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomes and malaria parasites. In many endemic sub-Saharan African countries, however, these recommendations are often only partially implemented and not consistently applied in daily antenatal care. Reasons are multifactorial but hesitation in administering multiple drugs this vulnerable population and the complexity of integrating the use of multiple drugs into the antenatal care schedule. On the other hand, data is accumulating that outweighs the potential risk of antiparasitic drug intake versus health benefits. The project aims to increase the uptake and integration of presumptive antiparasitic treatment during pregnancy to combat anaemia and improve health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies in sub-Saharan Africa. To this end, a multi-country trial will assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of co-administered antiparasitic drugs. Pharmacokinetic data, cost-effectiveness analysis and public health stakeholder’s involvement will further strengthen the case for future implementation of co-administered antiparasitic drugs in antenatal care schedules. Training in African scientific leadership will contribute to a critical mass of highly trained professionals.