There are 500 million cases of malaria each year, and up to 1.5 million deaths. The majority in sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to an estimated 80% of the world’s malaria cases.
In Africa, children under five years and pregnant women bear the brunt of the disease because of lower or undeveloped immunity. It is the leading cause of death for under-fives in Africa – killing 1.1 million every year. Children that survive may suffer anaemia and cerebral problems that affect long-term development.
In eastern and southern Africa, an estimated 30% of all recorded deaths during pregnancy are attributed to malaria infection. Meanwhile, a recent study in sub-Saharan Africa suggests that another vulnerable group of people – those with HIV – are twice as likely to catch malaria as those without.
Treating malaria accounts for 40 per cent of public health expenditure and 25% of household income in Africa. It is also estimated that malaria imposes a ‘growth penalty’ of up to 1.3% of national income across Africa – an economic cost of US$12 billion annually.
How AMREF is tackling malaria
Preventing malaria-related death and illness in poor, vulnerable and remote communities in Africa is a priority for AMREF. Working with local communities and district health councils, AMREF is helping people vulnerable to malaria:
- understand the causes of malaria, its signs and symptoms
- have access to accurate, early diagnostic services and effective treatment as close to the home as possible
- lower their risk through personal and community measures, especially long-lasting insecticidal nets and anti-malarial medication, particularly for pregnant women and children
- Help control malaria-related anaemia – common in pregnant women – through vitamin supplements
In Uganda, for example, we are partnering district health services to train community medicine distributors who go from house to house, educating parents on diagnosis, providing treatment and advising on prevention. In 2006 they distributed 3,000 bed nets.
In Afar, Ethiopia, community health workers distribute nets at educational sessions using pictures specific to local cultures to help people understand the importance of using the nets. Local people now understand more about the causes and symptoms of malaria and malaria-related deaths are decreasing.
