Spatiotemporal Relationship between Variability in Selected Climate Parameters and Malaria Transmission Trends in Different Altitudes of Lower Lake Victoria Basin
Loading...
Date
2024-01
Authors
Olela, Samwel Odhiambo
Makokha, George L.
Obiero, Kennedy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJNRD
Abstract
Purpose: Consequences of Global Climate Variability and Change are among the biggest environmental threats and
challenges the world is facing. Malaria burden is greatest in developing countries of the tropics especially Africa south of
the Sahara. In Kenya, it is blamed on high rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. This study investigated
spatiotemporal relationship between variability in selected climate parameters and malaria transmission in different
altitudes of lower Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya.
Methodology: The study used secondary data archived at sampled meteorological stations and health facilities. Flooded
sampling of malaria morbidity cases from health facilities within selected sub - counties in three sampled counties was
obtained from Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) for ten years (2011 - 2020). Meteorological data was obtained
for twenty years (2001 - 2020) except for Kisumu Relative Humidity which was only available for 12 years (2009 -
2020). Pearson’s moment correlation coefficient and regression were used to establish the strength of the relationship
between malaria transmission, climate elements and altitude.
Findings: Given temperature ranging between 22.520C – 23.770C, RH of 58.77% - 67.74% and a mean annual rainfall of
1844.57, the study area was found to be well within climatic threshold for endemic malaria transmission. When correlated
and regressed, none of the climate parameters revealed significant relationship with malaria transmission except monthly
temperature and monthly malaria transmission in Migori County. Transmission significantly decreased with increase in
altitude. All climate variables were eliminated leaving only altitude as the significant spatial determinant of malaria transmission. Climate therefore remained an insignificant spatiotemporal determinant of variability in malaria
transmission in the study area.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practices: Spatiotemporal Variability of Malaria transmission was
significantly defined by altitude and proximity to the lake. This made the study zone LLVB, Kenya into three based on
altitude and malaria transmission rates as follows: 1001m to 1200m – high transmission zones; 1201 to 1400 - medium
transmission zones; 1401 to 1600 – low transmission zones. Meteorologists and the Medics should combine efforts to put
remedial measures in place depending on altitude and time of the year. There is need to find out why some parts should
experience upsurge while others like Migori County are experiencing reduction. These recommendations were necessary
in the LLVB, Kenya for the realization of Kenya’s vision 2030.
Description
Article
Keywords
Selected climate parameters, malaria transmission trends, Lower Lake Victoria Basin, Climate variability, Different altitudes
Citation
Olela, S., Makokha, G. L., & Obiero, K. (2024). Spatiotemporal Relationship between Variability in Selected Climate Parameters and Malaria Transmission Trends in Different Altitudes of Lower Lake Victoria Basin. International Journal of Novel Research and Development, 9(1).