Linking rainfall and irrigation to clinically reported malaria cases in some villages in Chikhwawa district, Malawi

Abstract

The benefits of irrigation have been questioned with regard to the increase in malaria incidences. Are mosquito breeding grounds possibly being created by implementation of irrigation programs? This study compared malaria trends from archived malaria records in the rainy season and the dry season in Mbewe Extension Planning Area in Malawi. Findings show that malaria pattern was mainly associated with flooding during the rainy season, and not via irrigation schemes. Irrigation is implemented during the dry season; malaria cases were found to be low during this time.

Description

Keywords

FLOODING, IRRIGATION, MALARIA, RAINFALL, CLIMATE CHANGE, MALAWI, CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON HEALTH, MALARIA PREVALENCE

Citation

DOI