Overview of Epidemiology of Malaria Associated with Pregnancy in Northwestern Colombia, 1985-2020

Abstract

Background: Knowledge about malaria associated with pregnancy (MAP) is scarce in Latin America and Colombia. Methodology: This paper presents an overview of studies captained in Pubmed, Lilacs, GoogleScholar and thesis repositories from six Colombian universities and bibliographic references of manuscripts. Results: The following topics have been described: study sites, infectious agents, genetic variation of Plasmodium in MAP, vector resistance to insecticides, incubation period, natural susceptibility and resistance to infection, immunity in MAP, frequency, coexistence of gestational (GM) and placental (PM) malaria, associated factors, efficacy of antimalarial treatment, material living conditions in MAP. The MAP has a high prevalence, with a high frequency of submicroscopic infections. There are cases of MAP due to P. falciparum, P. vivax, or both. Monotherapy with chloroquine or amodiaquine for MAP for P. vivax has efficacy greater than 95% and artemether-lumefantrine or artesunate-mefloquine 100% for P. falciparum. There are high rates of anemia in pregnancies (30-70%). In “The Region,” there is no problem of resistance of vectors to insecticides. MAP occurs in poor territories, with interaction of food insecurity, chronic malnutrition, dissatisfaction of basic needs, intestinal parasites, violence and abuse of human rights. Conclusions: MAP study is just beginning in Colombia; there are no programmes that effectively operate to detect and solve this problem; Government agencies, international health organizations, and private companies should finance the multidisciplinary and comprehensive research (natural and social) of the MAP, in order to know its main characteristics throughout the country and use that knowledge as a basis to seek solutions.