TITLE:
Climate and Epidemiology of Malaria in Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Vincent Ezikornwor Weli, Sunday Ighovie Efe
KEYWORDS:
Malaria, Rainfall, Temperature, Port Harcourt
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Climate Change,
Vol.4 No.1,
March
12,
2015
ABSTRACT: The study examines the effect of climate on the occurrence of malaria in
Port Harcourt. To achieve this, the study adopted the survey designs which
involved the use of archival data of climate parameters and the survey of
hospitals for epidemiological data of malaria cases reports within Port
Harcourt and environs. The archival weather data on temperature and rainfall
were collected from the Nigeria Meteorological Service Agency (NIMET) for a
period of sixty-five (65) years (1950-2014), and those for medical records of
malaria cases were extracted from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospitals
(UPTH), Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH) and some renowned private hospitals
in Port Harcourt and environs for a period of sixty-five (65) years. The multiple regression analysis
was used to determine the relative effect of rainfall and temperature on
malaria incidence. The polynomial and linear trend analysis was used for the
trend pattern of malaria cases, rainfall and temperature. The results revealed
an annual rainfall of 2375 mm, with an increase of 1581 mm of rainfall from
1950 till date. It also showed an urban warming of 3°C from 1950 to
2014, and a mean of 27.2°C in temperature in Port Harcourt. The results
of the multiple regression reveal that the prevalence of malaria is
significantly dependent on the increase in rainfall and temperature in Port
Harcourt. There are double maxima of malaria cases with 1006 cases in July and
1540 cases in September, which coincide with the months with double rain
maxima. On this premise and health care planning and development, it is
recommended that regular clearing of drains and the surrounding environment on
monthly basis should be intensified, as well as the distribution of mosquito’s
insecticide net by the three tier of government.