Unstable malaria transmission and maternal mortality – experiences from Rwanda
Abstract
Data on malaria in pregnancy in unstable transmission areas are scarce. This study investigated malaria in pregnancy at Byumba District Hospital, Rwanda, over 3 years (January 1997–December 1999). Byumba, at an altitude of 2300 m, has low levels of malaria transmission. A malaria epidemic in February 1998 led to a fourfold increase in malaria admissions among pregnant women and to a fivefold increase in maternal deaths because of malaria. Safe Motherhood programmes should note that even in non-epidemic years malaria can cause a large proportion of maternal deaths, and that national and international responses to malaria in pregnancy need strengthening.
Citation
Anon. Unstable malaria transmission and maternal mortality - experiences from Rwanda. Tropical Medicine and International Health (2002) 7 (7) 573-576. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2002.00898.x]
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Unstable malaria transmission and maternal mortality – experiences from Rwanda