The Malaria Burden on Household Agricultural Production in Mosocho Division, Kisii County
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Date
2014-10-10
Authors
Ayienda, Jackline Nyakerario
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Malaria is a grave global problem because of its contribution towards morbidity and mortality
and the costs it imposes to households and the economy. Kisii County lies in the Western
Highlands malaria ecological area with low, unstable transmissions that is prone to
epidemics. The burden of malaria in the tropical world today is estimated to involve 300-500
million episodes of acute illness and more than one million deaths per year, mainly in African
children. This amounts to the loss of about approximately 44 million disability-adjusted life
years annually, a conspicuous drain on human health by today's standards. In endemic
countries such as Kenya, malaria is responsible for a loss of US dollars $ 12 billion in
national income due to the impact of mortality and morbidity on labor supply. However, by
its adverse long-term effects on trade, foreign investment, and commerce, the impact of
malaria extends beyond its direct effects on human health to the economic development of
nations, costing African countries approximately 1-2% of their Gross Domestic Product. This
study has been driven by the concerns about the role of malaria as an obstacle to development
and the costs' incuned by households. The study will investigate the malaria burden on
household agricultural production in Mosocho Division of Kisii County. Methodology for
gathering data will be a descriptive survey to enable an in depth investigation into the subject
under study. Semi-structured questionnaires will be used to collect information from health
practitioners, government officials, Non-governmental organizations and household heads.
To complement these data, key informant interviews will be sought to give data. The
researcher anticipates that the escalating malaria incidences have adversely reduced
agricultural production. Descriptive statistics; percentages and Chi-square will be used to
summarize the data. Data obtained from document analysis will be used to show trend
analysis of malaria pattern over time. This data will be displayed in graphs. Data gathered
from questionnaires administered to household heads will mainly yield quantitative data
which. will be analyzed by use of tables and bar graphs. Descriptive and inferential
(correlation and regression) analysis will be performed on the relationship between
agricultural production and malaria cases using statistical package for social sciences. The
findings of this study are expected to provide information and understanding on effect of
malaria on agriculture, thus contributing to a better understanding of how malaria
compromises agricultural production of a community