Community-based malaria case management in pregnancy: a systematic literature review.

Abstract

A systematic review is undertaken prior to the implementation of a trial related to the efficacy of a com­ munity-based scheduled screening and treatment of malaria in pregnancy for improved maternal and infant health in Benin, Burkina Faso and The Gambia.

PUBMED and Google scholar were used to screen the articles related to the community involvement into the management of malaria during pregnancy.

In the three countries, the community-based management of malaria in pregnancy involved village health workers (VHW). However the proved efficacy of such strategy is not very documented in the field. The quality of care provided by VHW is doubtful according to nurses and health system managers.

For the trial to be successful, VHW must be involved by taken into account their previous tasks and their recognition by the community. Side effects and critical event should be documented along the case management by VHW.