A scoping review of 21 African anaemia-in-pregnancy guidelines rated six high quality, six requiring modification and nine not recommended. Diagnostic thresholds, iron–folic-acid regimens and malaria integration varied widely. Major gaps involved development rigour, stakeholder involvement, implementation and editorial independence.
Key findings
- Six of 21 guidelines (28.6%) were high quality, six (28.6%) needed modification and nine (42.8%) were not recommended. Thresholds, iron–folic regimens, severe-case management and malaria integration differed, with recurring weaknesses in stakeholder involvement, applicability and editorial independence.
Why this matters globally
The findings support guideline harmonisation with patient and frontline participation, conflict disclosure and implementation tools for resource-constrained settings. The review does not establish which treatment regimen is clinically superior.
Thai researcher contribution
Thanawat Khongyot of Walailak University's School of Pharmacy contributed to continent-wide maternal-health guideline appraisal. This is Thai participation in evidence synthesis, not data from Thai pregnancies.
Limitations to consider
English-only inclusion may miss French, Portuguese, Arabic and local-language guidance. Public documents may differ from practice, AGREE II assesses development and reporting rather than patient outcomes, and the scoping review does not meta-analyse treatment effectiveness.