> Reduce the Burden of Malaria on Households
by giving free long-lasting treated bed-nets to pregnant women. This can reduce the
burden of the disease considerably not only for the very vulnerable population of
pregnant women and infants, but also for the whole community. Treated nets create a repellent halo that extends beyond
the mosquito net itself. If there are a sufficient number of treated nets in
an area, the whole area can be totally rid of mosquitoes. Thanks to this
positive externality, not only mothers and newborns, but also family members
and neighbors, will benefit from a malaria-reduced
environment.
> Protect Pregnant Women and New-born Babies
In regions of intense malaria transmission such as Western Kenya,
pregnant women get over 200 bites from malaria-infected mosquitos
throughout their pregnancy. Sleeping under a treated bednet reduces the
number of malaria attacks, reduces the risks of severe morbidity and maternal death and greatly improves the chances
of the survival of infants. It also reduces the burden of severe anemia during pregnancy and hence reduces
the risk to the unborn child.
> Strengthen Antenatal Care Services
Delivering
free nets to pregnant women through prenatal clinics has the benefit
of strengthening prenatal services. In Western Kenya fewer than 60% of woman
receive any prenatal care. At these visits, women are tested and treated
for malaria and anemia and are given vaccinations and nutritional
supplements crucial to the health of both mother and baby. By creating a
visible incentive for prenatal mothers to come to the prenatal clinic,
TAMTAM
increases the coverage of the Safe Motherhood Initiative. In this initiative, the Government of Kenya has
included in the standard prenatal care package the provision of two free
presumptive anti-malarial treatment doses for all pregnant women living in
malaria's areas. However, women who do not come for prenatal care cannot
benefit from this free service.
> Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
TAMTAM
also increases the coverage of programs aimed at preventing
the mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The earlier in pregnancy a woman comes for prenatal care and is informed about
Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV and about the possibility of getting tested for
the virus and the availability of antiretroviral to reduce the transmission,
the more likely she is to get tested and to participate in the prevention
program in case she is HIV infected.
