The risk of miscarriage or stillbirth can be up to 8% higher during extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves, according to recent studies. This alarming statistic has prompted the South African Health Department, in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), to launch a pilot project that will send weather warnings to pregnant women and mothers of young children via the MomConnect messaging service.
Climate Change and Increasing Risks
Climate scientists warn that extreme weather events will become more frequent as global temperatures rise due to the burning of fossil fuels. The world’s average temperature has increased by at least 1°C over the past 150 years, contributing to more frequent and severe weather patterns.
Health Risks During Heatwaves
Long periods of heat are linked to higher chances of early births, low birth weight, stillbirths, and congenital disabilities. Pregnant women already struggle to regulate their body temperature due to physiological changes, and extreme heat exacerbates these difficulties, potentially leading to dehydration and increased stress on the heart and kidneys.
MomConnect Pilot Project: Early Warnings for Pregnant Women
To mitigate these risks, the CHAI and the Health Department are rolling out a pilot project to send early warnings about dangerous weather through MomConnect, a mobile maternal health messaging service. This service is used by 95% of public sector clinics in South Africa and had around 420,000 active users as of September 2023.
Elizabeth Leonard, a researcher from CHAI, announced that the pilot will begin in Limpopo in the second half of 2024, with plans to expand to other provinces. The service will advise handling extreme weather conditions, such as seeking medical help, staying hydrated, and avoiding heat stress.
Benefits and Challenges of Early Warnings
Early warnings can help pregnant women take preventive actions to protect their health and their babies. In regions like Ohangwena in Namibia, early warnings have enabled healthcare workers to provide necessary medications in advance, ensuring continuity of care during floods.
Effective communication strategies are crucial for the success of this initiative. Consideration must be given to literacy levels and gender roles within communities. For example, voice notes or loudspeakers may be more effective than text messages in some regions.
Community Involvement and Wider Impact
The initiative aims to reach pregnant women as well as their families and communities to encourage supportive behaviours. When women’s partners, mothers-in-law, and other family members understand the risks of extreme weather, they are more likely to take collective action.
As extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, initiatives like the MomConnect pilot project are essential to protect pregnant women’s and their babies’ health. By providing timely information and support, the Health Department hopes to mitigate the risks associated with extreme weather and improve maternal and child health outcomes.