Intermittent Preventive Treatment With Azithromycin-containing Regimens in Pregnant Women in Papua New Guinea

Intermittent Preventive Treatment With Azithromycin-containing Regimens for the Prevention of Malarial Infections and Anaemia and the Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Women in Papua New Guinea

The purpose of this study is to determine whether repeated courses of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in combination with azithromycin given at Antenatal Clinic, leads to lower rates of low birth weight deliveries (<2.5 kg) among Papua New Guinean women, than the current standard treatment of SP and chloroquine.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pregnant
• 14-26 weeks'gestation
• permanent resident of study area
• exclusive use of study health facilities for primary health care
• Age is between 16 and 49 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known chronic illness, e.g. TB, diabetes, renal failure
• Severe anaemia requiring hospitalisation (Hb < 6 g/dl accompanied by symptoms requiring urgent treatment)
• permanent disability, that prevents or impedes study participation and/or comprehension
• Known multiple pregnancy