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Background
Malaria continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in South Sudan, accounting for more than 60% of outpatient visits and over half of inpatient deaths. Pregnan women are disproportionately affected, with malaria contributing to maternal anemia, low birth weight, and neonatal mortality.
The Malaria Strategic Plan (MSP 2021-2025) set ambitious targets to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality by 80% and parasite prevalence by 50%. However, the Malaria Programme Review (MPR 2025) highlighted persistent gaps in malaria in pregnancy interventions, particularly in IPTp uptake, ITN use, and SBC effectiveness.
Community Needs Identified
Low IPTp uptake: IPTp3 coverage was only 16.7% in 2023 against a target of 70%.
Limited ITN use: Despite high ownership, usage among pregnant women remains suboptimal.
Weak SBC interventions: Knowledge gaps, myths, and cultural barriers limit ANC attendance and IPTp acceptance.
Commodity stock-outs: Frequent shortages of SP (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) and ITNs at health facilities.
Community Assets
NMCP leadership and national malaria framework.
Malaria Technical Working Group coordination.
Youth champions network for grassroots mobilization.
Rotary Club organizational credibility and advocacy reach.
Primary Goal
The Primary Goal To reduce malaria-related maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality by increasing IPTp uptake and ITN use among pregnant women through youth-led SBC interventions supported by Rotary and aligned with NMCP priorities.
Strategy
Community Dialogues & Household Visits: Youth champions mobilize families, including male involvement.
Mass Media Campaigns: Rotary supports radio talk shows and local-language jingles.
Faith & Community Leaders Engagement: Chiefs, elders, and religious leaders reinforce malaria prevention messages.
Health Worker Training: NMCP and Rotary strengthen IPTp delivery and commodity management.
Monitoring & Feedback: Youth champions collect community-level data to feed into NMCP reporting systems.
Challenges
Stock-outs of IPTp drugs and ITNs.
Late ANC attendance and refusal of IPTp.
Weak monitoring of malaria in pregnancy indicators.
Why This Approach Works
This project combines NMCP technical leadership, Rotary organizational support, and youth champions grassroots mobilization. It directly addresses MPR recommendations to:
Harmonize IPTp protocols.
Scale up SBC interventions.
Strengthen supply chain monitoring.
Expand community engagement.
Alignment with MSP & MPR Recommendations
Objective 1: Protect 85% of population at risk by recommended malaria prevention methods.
Objective 2: Increase to at least 80% community and health worker knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
MPR 2025 Recommendation:
Harmonize IPTp protocols, scale SBC, and address commodity gaps.
Expected Outcomes
At least 80% of pregnant women aware of IPTp and ITN benefits.
Increased ANC attendance and IPTp uptake.
Improved ITN use among pregnant women.
Stronger community ownership of malaria prevention in pregnancy.
Enhanced NMCP reporting and accountability through youth-led monitoring.
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