Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy and the Impact on Neonates in African Countries as Assessed by Entropy Weight and TOPSIS Methods

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In regions of Africa with a high prevalence of malaria, pregnant women in their first or second trimester should be administered intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp). However, infants may contract malaria despite the IPTp therapy that their mothers have received. The objective of the present investigation was to assess the symptoms and various treatments for neonatal malaria. Methods: Entropy weight and TOPSIS were used to achieve the study goal. The TOPSIS multi-attribute decision-making system was used to assess newborn malaria symptoms and select the optimal treatment, even for mothers receiving IPTp medication during pregnancy. The entropy weight approach calculated TOPSIS attribute weights. The present research used UNICEF data for 14 African nations in 2023. Results: The results indicated that neonates whose mothers received IPTp therapy ultimately contracted malaria, with diarrhea being the primary symptom. It is important to note that health providers administer a combination of zinc and oral rehydration solution (ORS) to infants as the most effective treatment for malaria symptoms, thereby abandoning the first-line treatment for malaria, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Conclusions: The most effective treatment for neonatal malaria is a combination of zinc and ORS, although less than half of children in Africa have access to ORS. Therefore, the findings of this study may encourage African countries to prioritize co-pack therapy in their procurement and supply, healthcare provider training, and expenditures. This therapy will also help alleviate the symptoms of malaria in neonates.

Keywords: Africa; Intermittent preventive treatment; ORS; neonatal outcome; pregnancy; zinc.

Figure 1

IPTp for pregnant women (aged 14–49) who received three or more doses for the year 2023.