Malaria Prevention

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Social and behaviour change and communication on non-pharmacological means of prevention is extremely important. Communities must be encouraged to use preventative methods such as indoor residual spraying, use of mosquito coils, repellants, long lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets and wear appropriate protective clothing. 

Medicine Prophylaxis 

Due to lack of evidence of efficacy on antimalarial prophylaxis in Zimbabwe coupled with suspected poor performance of the previously used medicines, personal protection is highly recommended. This is to avoid giving a false sense of protection to those visiting malarious areas. 

Personal protection can be achieved by sleeping under a net, use of repellents when visiting a malarious area, putting on long sleeved clothes during dusk or dawn and getting indoors early. Where medicines are used, it is important to note that no medicine gives 100% protection against malaria, but medicines do reduce the risk. However, chemoprophylaxis is recommended in pregnant women as indicated below: 

Malaria prophylaxis for Intermittent Preventative Treatment (IPTp)  

  • Pregnant women in regions of moderate to high transmission. 

Chemoprophylaxis in this group is based on an assumption that every pregnant woman in a malaria-endemic area is infected with malaria and has malaria parasites in the blood or in the placenta. The medication is given at treatment doses and at prescribed intervals. 

Three tablets of SP (each SP tablet contains Sulphadoxine 500mg and Pyrimethamine 25mg) are given at booking (after quickening) 

  • Give SP to all pregnant women at each scheduled ANC visit up to time of delivery. 
  • The doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart
  • SP should ideally be given as directly observed therapy (DOTS) of three tablets 
  • SP can be given on either an empty stomach or with food
  • SP should NOT be administered to women receiving co-trimoxazole prophylaxis due to an increased risk of adverse effects. 
  • It is recommended that weekly folic acid also be given to pregnant women taking IPTp (This is done in conjunction with the Reproductive Health Department)

Visitors from outside of the country

They may continue with the prophylaxis recommended to them before coming to Zimbabwe, but personal protection should be emphasized.