Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41948631›Full record

ArticleHealth science reports2026

Time to Act; Let Us Unite to Eliminate Malaria Among Pregnant Women in War Zone From Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Review.

Aymar Akilimali, Laiba Mehmood, Paradzai Innocent Njazi, Babar Ali, Saad Maqbool, Muhammad Younas, Martin Sagide, Syeda Vilay Zehra Rizvi, Rabbia Munsab, Syeda Umme Abiha Rizvi and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health science reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Aymar AkilimaliDepartment of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9393-1215
Laiba MehmoodDepartment of Medicine King Edward Medical University Lahore Pakistan.
Paradzai Innocent NjaziPrimary Health Sciences University of Zimbabwe Harare Zimbabwe.
Babar AliDepartment of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Saad MaqboolDepartment of Medicine Islamabad Medical and Dental College Karachi Pakistan.
Muhammad YounasDepartment of Medicine Gomal Medical College Dera Ismail Khan Pakistan.
Martin SagideJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Juja Kenya.
Syeda Vilay Zehra RizviDepartment of Medicine Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi Pakistan.
Rabbia MunsabDepartment of Medicine Dow University of Health and Sciences Karachi Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5210-3822
Syeda Umme Abiha RizviDepartment of Medicine Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi Pakistan.
Sabika FatimaDepartment of Medicine Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi Pakistan.
Amidu AlhassanDepartment of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4102-4995
Calvin R WeiDepartment of Research and Development Shing Huei Group Taipei Taiwan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1036-3342
Amos Kipkorir LangatDepartment of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7813-6835

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) contributing substantially to the global burden. DR Congo accounts for 12% of global malaria cases. This study aims to assess the intersectionality of epidemiological, immunological, and conflict-related factors increasing malaria severity and proposes targeted interventions. Methods: A narrative, non-systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and international health guidelines published between 2007 and 2025. The search focused on keywords including "malaria," "pregnancy," "conflict areas," and "intermittent preventive treatment." Sources were identified through databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as reports from the World Health Organization, national malaria control programs, and humanitarian agencies. Findings were thematically synthesized. Results: Findings indicate Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) prevalence rates between 17% and 40%, with a significant 26% asymptomatic pooled estimate creating silent transmission reservoirs. Research shows early-stage parasitemia is linked to reduced umbilical artery resistance and fetal growth restriction. Armed conflict has decimated infrastructure, leading to critical shortages of insecticide-treated nets and intermittent preventive treatment. While innovations like the R21/Matrix-M vaccine and genomic surveillance offer hope, implementation is hindered by fragmented coordination, funding gaps, and emerging artemisinin resistance. Conclusion: Eliminating MiP in conflict zones requires a concerted effort to strengthen the six pillars of the health system: service delivery, workforce, information, medical products, financing, and governance. Immediate action is required to address stockouts, improve healthcare worker training, and ensure clear, context-specific policies. Sustained global funding, stronger national commitment, and the integration of mobile clinics with community-led engagement will bring success.

Indexed as

Democratic Republic of the CongoMalariapregnant womenwar zone

Identifiers

PMID41948631
PMCPMC13052340

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.