Estimating the burden of malaria in pregnancy in rural Madhya Pradesh, India
Author Information
Author(s): Nadia Diamond-Smith, Neeru Singh, RK Das Gupta, Aditya Dash, Krongthong Thimasarn, Oona MR Campbell, Daniel Chandramohan
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
The burden of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is much higher than current estimates suggest.
Conclusion
Malaria in pregnancy is a significant public health problem in rural Madhya Pradesh, affecting many thousands of women.
Supporting Evidence
- Estimates of MiP cases ranged from 183,000 to 1.5 million per year.
- The Monte Carlo simulation provided a more plausible estimate of 220,000 MiP cases annually.
- Tribal women living in forested areas bear 30% of the MiP burden in Madhya Pradesh.
Takeaway
Malaria during pregnancy can make many women and babies very sick, and we need to pay more attention to it in Madhya Pradesh.
Methodology
The study estimated the number of malaria in pregnancy cases using a model based on literature values and conducted a Monte Carlo simulation for sensitivity analysis.
Potential Biases
The study may be biased due to reliance on literature values and the challenges in measuring foetal loss and maternal deaths.
Limitations
The estimates are uncertain and based on limited data, which may not accurately reflect the true burden.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on rural women in Madhya Pradesh, particularly tribal populations.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
IQR: 136,000–305,000 for MiP cases.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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