Observing a public health researcher develops a mathematical model to investigate the impact of the use of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), considering the relationship between increasing packed cell volume (PCV) in pregnant women and the number of IPTp doses administered, aroused my interest in multidisciplinary research.
This mathematical model aimed to inform evidence-based policies for reducing anaemia in pregnancy and improving maternal and foetal health outcomes. Further, it simulated the impact of different dosing schedules on PCV and anaemia reduction.
Anaemia in pregnancy is a significant public health concern, particularly in malaria-endemic areas, including Nigeria, and most especially in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Nigeria, which has continued to battle worm infestations, which are contributors to anaemia, can be said to be facing a double tragedy. IPTp with SP has been shown to reduce the risk of malaria and anaemia in pregnant women.
Recent studies highlight the importance of optimising IPTp dosing schedules to maximise efficacy. The effectiveness of IPTp-SP in reducing maternal parasitaemia and the incidence of low birth weight, as well as increasing mean birth weight, has been documented in some studies.
My experience in the private sector, where I jointly coordinated the Eliminating Malaria in Nigeria programme through behavioural change communication with diverse stakeholders and collaborated with stakeholders to drive malaria eradication efforts at the subnational level, points to the impact of malaria eradication efforts.
Malaria is a significant health concern in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, often with higher prevalence rates due to factors such as overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and poor living conditions. Vulnerable populations, such as young children and pregnant women, are seldom aware that they are at greater risk. Thus, the implementation of evidence-based policies and approaches that adapt to the changing malaria landscape to support the transition from malaria control to elimination across the board is necessary.
Drawing inspiration from diverse stakeholders’ commitment to supporting community-based health initiatives to reimagine evidence-based, locally driven policies and practices to advance public health, it is expected that researchers, scientists, policymakers, and development practitioners will leverage one another’s technical expertise to enhance evidence-based decision-making in their respective domains, while ensuring that research outcomes are grounded in rigorous scientific data.
Effective and inclusive public policy relies on the best available data and knowledge. Thus, the dynamic intersection between science, society, and policy is required to ensure that everyone involved has the skills, systems, access to networks on evidence-to-policy mechanisms, science advice, and science diplomacy and information needed for society’s advancement. Ultimately, this promotes the generation and translation of evidence into policy and practice—connecting evidence to action, and action to systems.
Data is essential in malaria control and elimination. It is imperative that we establish a knowledge exchange platform within State Ministries of Health.
This platform is expected to convene stakeholders supporting malaria control and elimination efforts, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and strengthen evidence-based malaria interventions in Nigeria.
