Uptake and Effectiveness of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine during Pregnancy in Africa: A Scoping Review
Gifty Osei Berchie,
Patience Fakornam Doe,
Theodora Dedo Azu,
Joyce Agyeiwaa,
Gifty Owusu,
Christian Makafui Boso,
Naomi Kyeremaa Yeboa,
Dorcas Frempomaa Agyare,
Irene Korkoi Aboh,
Bernard Nabe,
Godson Obeng Ofori,
Benjamin Anumel,
Justice Enock Kagbo,
Amidu Alhassan,
Frank Odonkor Offei,
Rita Opoku-Danso,
Susanna Aba Abraham,
Mustapha Amoadu,
John Elvis Hagan
Affiliations
Gifty Osei Berchie
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Patience Fakornam Doe
Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Theodora Dedo Azu
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Joyce Agyeiwaa
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Gifty Owusu
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Christian Makafui Boso
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Naomi Kyeremaa Yeboa
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Dorcas Frempomaa Agyare
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Irene Korkoi Aboh
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Bernard Nabe
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Godson Obeng Ofori
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Benjamin Anumel
Center for Health Research and Policy Innovations, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 949, Ghana
Justice Enock Kagbo
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Amidu Alhassan
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Frank Odonkor Offei
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Rita Opoku-Danso
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Susanna Aba Abraham
Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Mustapha Amoadu
Biomedical and Clinical Research Centre, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
John Elvis Hagan
Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana
Malaria poses a significant threat to pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, necessitating effective interventions like the intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). However, challenges persist in the uptake and effectiveness of this intervention. This scoping review aims to explore IPTp-SP uptake in African countries, identify influencing factors, and assess its effectiveness in preventing malaria and adverse outcomes in pregnancy. This scoping review follows Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, employing the PRISMA-ScR guidelines for reporting. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, JSTOR, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest, focusing on studies post-2000 published in the English language. The search produced 15,153 records, of which 104 full-text records were eligible and 101 papers were included in this review. The findings suggest varying IPTp-SP uptake rates, spanning from 5.3% to 98.9%, with their effectiveness supported by longitudinal studies, randomised controlled-trials (RCTs), cross-sectional surveys, and mixed-method studies. IPTp-SP demonstrates efficacy in reducing malaria during pregnancy, placental parasitaemia, and anaemia episodes, alongside improved birth outcomes. Common adverse effects of IPTp-SP include prematurity and low birth weight. Facilitators of IPTp-SP uptake include education and ANC attendance, while commonly reported barriers included inadequate knowledge and healthcare system challenges. The findings also suggest adverse effects such as prematurity, low birth weight, and maternal and perinatal mortality associated with IPTp-SP uptake. It is vital to strengthen antenatal care services by integrating comprehensive counselling on IPTp-SP and address healthcare system challenges. Community engagement, women’s empowerment, and context-specific interventions are necessary for promoting IPTp-SP uptake and improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Africa.
