WHO policy brief for the implementation of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP)

Overview

WHO recommends 3 or more doses of IPTp-SP for all pregnant women living in areas of moderate-to-high malaria transmission in Africa; the preventive treatment should start as early as possible in the 2nd trimester and can be administered at monthly intervals up to the time of delivery. IPTp has been shown to reduce anaemia and low birth weight – a major cause of infant mortality.

This brief provides guidance for national policy-makers and health care providers on the implementation of IPTp-SP. It addresses questions around the scale-up of this intervention; the management of side effects; quality, efficacy and resistance; co-administration with other medication; and the use of ITNs.