Principal Midwifery Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Felicia Martey Dodoo, has urged pregnant women to begin antenatal care as soon as they confirm pregnancy, warning that malaria can threaten both maternal health and the development of unborn babies.
She explained that early clinic attendance allows health workers to screen expectant mothers, identify malaria and other infections, provide prompt treatment and administer preventive medication.
She also encouraged women to attend routine appointments, use insecticide-treated mosquito nets and avoid self-medication to reduce the risk of complications.
“If you get malaria, it affects the red blood cells which carry oxygen to the baby. It can also attack the placenta site, impairing the delivery of nutrients to the baby.”
Principal Midwifery Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Felicia Martey Dodoo
Ms Dodoo explained that malaria can affect pregnant women at any stage, even before they realise they are pregnant. The disease affects red blood cells and can damage the placenta, limiting nutrients reaching the baby.
She warned that these effects could contribute to foetal growth restriction and premature delivery. Reduced foetal movement may signal a problem, as malaria can interfere with the blood supply that supports the baby.
Other symptoms requiring prompt medical attention include fever, chills, feeling unusually cold, sweating, loss of appetite, vomiting and body weakness. She urged women to report these signs to a health facility rather than assume they are caused by malaria.
She emphasised that “we do not advise pregnant women to engage in self-medication,” explaining that self-treatment could delay proper assessment and appropriate care.
Early testing helps prevent malaria complications
At antenatal clinics, health workers assess symptoms and use a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to determine whether malaria is responsible. When a test confirms infection, treatment begins immediately to prevent the condition from progressing into complicated malaria.
“Early antenatal care is important because it allows us to identify malaria and other infections promptly, provide preventive medication and protect both the mother and her unborn baby.”
Principal Midwifery Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Felicia Martey Dodoo
Where a pregnant woman tests negative, clinicians investigate other possible causes, including urinary tract infections, before deciding on treatment. Ms Dodoo stressed that symptoms alone are not enough to justify malaria medication.
She noted that the National Malaria Elimination Programme promotes a “test, treat and track” approach and has been building the capacity of health workers, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and public health nurses.
Although malaria testing is available at pharmacies, she advised pregnant women to seek hospital assessment because health professionals can examine both the mother and unborn baby and identify other underlying conditions.
Preventive medication and mosquito nets
Ms Dodoo outlined intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, commonly known as IPTp-SP, as a key protection measure. Health workers begin assessing eligible women at 16 weeks of pregnancy, including checks relating to G6PD deficiency and previous reactions to sulpha-containing medicines.
Where laboratory screening for G6PD status is unavailable, health workers use screening questions developed by the National Malaria Elimination Programme to establish whether a woman qualifies for the medication.
Under current guidelines, eligible women receive SP at four-week intervals from 16 weeks until delivery. This differs from the previous protocol, which required five doses. Women who start antenatal care early may receive six or seven doses before childbirth, depending on when they begin and when they deliver.
She also urged pregnant women to sleep under insecticide-treated nets and keep their surroundings clean. Those who remain outdoors for extended periods before bedtime should wear protective clothing and use insect repellents.
Antenatal care should begin once pregnancy is confirmed
Ms Dodoo encouraged women to report to a health facility immediately after missing a period or obtaining a positive pregnancy test, even if they have no symptoms. Health workers can assess them, arrange a scan where necessary and begin antenatal care once pregnancy is confirmed.
She acknowledged that cultural beliefs sometimes discourage women from announcing pregnancies or attending clinics during the first three months. Some families fear that an early public announcement could expose the pregnancy to the “evil eye”, while certain traditions require rites before a woman discloses her pregnancy.
However, she cautioned that delaying antenatal booking could leave conditions such as malaria undetected. Early assessment allows health workers to identify infections, provide treatment and begin preventive measures before complications develop.
She further urged families to support women in seeking timely care and to avoid relying on herbs or other unverified remedies in place of medical assessment.
Ms Dodoo maintained that routine antenatal visits, timely testing, preventive medication and protection against mosquito bites remain measures for safeguarding pregnant women and their babies. She urged expectant mothers to report symptoms promptly and follow professional guidance.
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