Dihydroartemisinin–Piperaquine versus Sulfadoxine–Pyrimethamine Use for the Prevention of Malaria during Pregnancy

INTERVENTION: Dihydroartemisinin and Piperaquine Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine CONDITION: ; Malaria Malaria PRIMARY OUTCOME: peripheral and/or placental parasitaemia SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Preterm delivery at birth (defined as birth at < 37 weeks’ gestation evaluated by early ultrasound scan or calculated gestational age by date). ; 2. Low birth weight (<2500 g). ; 3. Spontaneous abortion (defined as the expulsion of a foetus before 28 weeks’ gestation). ; 4. Stillbirth (defined as the delivery of a dead child after 28 weeks’ gestation). ; 5. Gross congenital anomaly. ; 6. Maternal anaemia (Hb <11 g/dl) at delivery. ; 7. Adverse effects of SP (skin rash, anorexia, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, itch, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, fever, swollen tongue, arrhythmia, and any other ones linked to the drug) and DP (Anorexia, dysphagia, diarrhoea, dizziness/vertigo, headache, itch, asthenia, nausea/vomiting, fever, generalized irregular twitching movement‐ choreoathetois, and any other one linked to the drug). ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: • Pregnant women aged 15‐49 years • Attending antenatal clinic (ANC) for the first time in this current pregnancy • Gestation of 20 weeks (as assessed by LMP) • HIV‐negative pregnant women • No current history of receiving IPTp‐SP • Willing to provide informed written consent • Planning to stay in Maiduguri and attending ANC and have child delivery at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri