Climate Variation and Malaria Prevalence in Warri Metropolis

Abstract

<p align="justify"> <span>This study examined the relationship between climate and prevalence of malaria in Warri metropolis. To achieve this, the study generated data from archival material from the meteorological agency and hospitals. Climate data of temperature, rainfall and humidity were collected from the Nigeria Meteorological agency, Warri and malaria in-patient and out-patient records from the two (2) central hospitals and one (1) renowned hospital each from the three (3) local Government Areas for a period of twenty (20) years (1990-2009). The data were analyzed using the Multiple Regression. From the study, the rainfall and temperature in Warri metropolis has increased over the years (1907-2009) by 122.82<span> </span>mmand 1.3</span><span style="font-family:宋体;">℃</span><span>. Thus, if this warming continues there will be a risk of between 1.4</span><span style="font-family:宋体;">℃</span><span> and an urban warming of 4.18</span><span style="font-family:宋体;">℃</span><span>, indicating climate change. There is a significant relationship between malaria and climate parameters (rainfall, temperature and humidity) which were evident at F value of 4.429 which is greater than the critical table value of 4.35, which implied that the model is significant and thus, malaria prevalence in Warri metropolis is significantly dependent on rainfall, relative humidity and temperature. It is anticipated that an increase in temperature and relative humidity resulted to a corresponding increase in the number of malaria cases, it is therefore recommended that any policy aimed at reducing the prevalence of malaria in Warri and environs must necessarily be imbued with programmes that have objectives of mosquitoes reduction through the improvement of our environment which includes the climate.</span><span></span> </p> <p> <span></span> </p

Sustainable Development and Gas Flaring Activities: a Case Study of Ebedei Area of Ukwuani LGA, Delta State, Nigeria

“…Thermal air pollution occurs if the recorded air temperatures of the place deviate from its normal ambient temperature [20]. This increase in temperature has an undesirable effect on man [21]. Table 3 shows the volume of gases emitted from varying flare distances.…”

Climate change and malaria control: the importance of mitigation and a call to action

“…[4][5][6] Granted that the causal relationship between climate change and the increase in the incidence of malaria is complex and debatable, the need for proactive measures to mitigate its possible effects on health, in general, and malaria, in particular, is nonetheless imperative. 5,7,8 The need for mitigation becomes, even more important in view of the consistent evidence in support of the direct and indirect health impacts (infectious diseases inclusive) of climate change 9 and explains the necessity for this study. This paper is a wake-up call on the possible role of climate change in malaria epidemics.…”

“…4 Both the causative organism (Plasmodium) and the vector (mosquitoes) depend significantly on climatic factors like temperature, rainfall and humidity. 5,7,23 For the optimal development of mosquitoes, a temperature range of 20-30 degree centigrade together with high humidity, food availability and stagnant water pools are necessary. 4 Similarly, the development of Plasmodium within mosquitoes is highly sensitive to the surrounding temperature.…”

“…7,27  A few developed countries will have a fair share of the health impacts of climate change; however, the impacts will be worse in the developing countries, especially among the most vulnerable subpopulations; for instance, sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is already ravaging lives.…”

Spatial distribution of malaria in Warri metropolis

“…Rainfall period ranges from January-December, with the minimum value of 20.4 mm in January and over 499.1 mm in September [23]. The temperature of 27.4˚C enhances the transmission of malaria which is caused plasmodium falciparum which requires a minimum temperature of 19˚C [24].…”