Now
that summer is here, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest health challenge also
looms, Malaria.
Whilst
malaria is worrying across all demographic segments, it is during pregnancy
that it is of a greater concern.
This article seeks to inform women, especially
those pregnant and those hoping to be pregnant to be on the lookout for this
life threatening disease.
Being
pregnant is a delicate phase which requires maximum care both for the mother
and baby. Prevention and detection of threatening
conditions which may affect mother and baby often include early bookings,
routine antenatal investigations and continued education on pregnancy care.
Even
though there are other worrying conditions to look out for when pregnant, here
is why Malaria is of greater concern.
1]
During pregnancy the immunity of the mother is naturally low so the mother has
minimal resistance to diseases.
2]
The symptoms of malaria more or less tally with common minor disorders of
pregnancy like vomiting, body weakness headache etc. So disease progression may
go unnoticed.
3]
Malaria crosses the placenta and consequently affects fetal growth.
4]
Malaria consumes and survives on glucose which is much needed by the mother and
growing fetus.
5]
Some drugs of choice are contraindicated in pregnancy depending on the
trimester thereby limiting the choice of treatment.
Malaria
is a non-communicable disease transmitted via the bites of an infected
anopheles mosquito and is most prominent in the low veld, hot and humid areas
of Zimbabwe.
With
climate change, the precedence of malaria is increasing even on the higher veld
of Zimbabwe.
It
is very important for pregnant women to be protected from malaria during pregnancy.
Untreated malaria often has negative effects on mother and baby. When malaria
enters the body of a pregnant woman enters the bloodstream and consequently
affects red blood cells which are responsible for the transport of oxygen to
the whole body.
Malaria
crosses the placenta and starts destroying red blood cells in the fetus. The growing baby relies on the oxygen from the
mother but the destruction of red blood cells distorts the gaseous exchange process.
The
usual symptoms of malaria are body aches, diarrhea, a cold stage characterised
by shivering, a hot stage characterised by headaches, vomiting and sweating.
Effects on pregnancy include intrauterine growth retardation, miscarriages, premature
delivery, low birth weight baby, neonatal jaundice –due to the destruction of
red blood cells and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome since destruction of
red blood cells in utero impairs the transport of oxygen in the baby’s body.
Complicated
malaria often has symptoms of coca cola coloured urine, fever and in some cases
confusion.
Prevention
of malaria includes sleeping in insecticide treated mosquito nets, avoid
travelling to malaria endemic zones during pregnancy and taking malarial
prophylactic medication.
The
secondary prevention includes early treatment at a health facility as soon as
symptoms are noted. So malaria
prevention in pregnancy is a vital step in ensuring a healthy and safe pregnancy
and a healthy mother.
The
responsibility is for everyone- women, men and the community. A healthy summer
to you all!
By Patience Hombarume Zimunya. She is
a nurse midwife and writes in her own capacity.
Contact: petiehombas@yahoo.com
