Enhancing malaria-in-pregnancy monitoring: stakeholder experiences and data integration into the BornFyne-PNMS digital platform in Cameroon

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• Effect Size: Not applicable — qualitative/process study; no quantitative effect size reported

• Primary Outcome: Identification of key MiP data gaps and bottlenecks in Cameroon's health information system, including poor data quality, absence of clear guidelines, manual district-level data processing, and delayed feedback mechanisms; and the definition of priority MiP indicators for integration into the BornFyne-PNMS digital platform

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not applicable — this is an implementation science and qualitative stakeholder engagement study; no diagnostic, therapeutic, or prognostic metrics are reported

Clinical Application

The BornFyne-PNMS platform represents a digital health integration approach that requires smartphone or tablet infrastructure, reliable connectivity, trained health workers, and sustained government engagement — all of which present feasibility challenges in rural and resource-limited Cameroonian settings. The stakeholder engagement model described is resource-intensive but potentially replicable with adequate technical assistance. Sustainability beyond project funding cycles is not addressed in the abstract. Direct clinical applicability to Australian practice is limited, as malaria-in-pregnancy is not endemic in Australia. However, the study has indirect relevance for: (1) Australian global health practitioners and NGOs working in malaria-endemic regions of the Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa; (2) RACGP and RACP members involved in refugee and migrant health, where MiP history may be relevant to antenatal risk stratification; (3) Australian digital health policy, particularly the integration of condition-specific indicators into My Health Record and state-based antenatal care platforms; (4) AusAID and DFAT-funded global health programmes supporting digital health strengthening in the Indo-Pacific region. The WHO Digital Adaptation Kit framework referenced is relevant to Australian global health technical assistance programmes. Pregnant women in malaria-endemic regions of Cameroon and comparable sub-Saharan African settings; health facility staff, district health managers, and national programme officers responsible for antenatal care delivery and malaria-in-pregnancy monitoring

Abstract

Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is a significant public health concern in high-burden malaria countries and a key predictor of high-risk pregnancies in Cameroon. One of the challenges of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) in Cameroon is to generate reliable, timely, accurate and actionable data to inform decision-making, effective monitoring and planning. Discussions with the NMCP at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) identified poor data quality, lack of clear guidelines, manual data processing at the district level and delays in feedback on data as key bottlenecks in effective implementation of malaria control in Cameroon. This paper documents the data gaps for MiP identified by the digital health platform, BornFyne, project team in collaboration with the MoPH. We outlined lessons learnt in identifying and defining MiP-related indicators through stakeholder engagement across various levels, and identifying priority MiP elements for health facility registers for integration into the BornFyne digital platform. These lessons and insights will provide valuable guidance for other countries looking to incorporate malaria-related content into their antenatal care packages and/or to integrate similar content into their digital health platforms, and suggestions for strengthening the WHO digital adaptation kit MiP content.

References

1. 1.Tasségning, A. M., Shiroya, V., Ngo, V., Wanda, F., Ndiforchu, V., Fobellah, N., Ateba, M., Bomba, D., Tabebot, A., Ebongo, Z., Conserve, D. F., Kasonde, M., Tamrat, T., Barreix, M., Muliokela, R. K., Tizi, N. B., Yaya, S., & Nkangu, M. (2026). Enhancing malaria-in-pregnancy monitoring: stakeholder experiences and data integration into the BornFyne-PNMS digital platform in Cameroon. BMJ Global Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020527