Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/18495
Title: Malaria impact of large dams in sub-Saharan Africa: maps, estimates and predictions
Contributor(s): Birhanie, Solomon Kibret (author); Lautze, Jonathan (author); McCartney, Matthew (author); Wilson, Glenn  (author); Nhamo, Luxon (author)
Publication Date: 2015
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0873-2Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/18495
Abstract: 'Background': While there is growing recognition of the malaria impacts of large dams in sub-Saharan Africa, thecumulative malaria impact of reservoirs associated with current and future dam developments has not been quantified. The objective of this study was to estimate the current and predict the future impact of large dams on malaria in different eco-epidemiological settings across sub-Saharan Africa. 'Methods': The locations of 1268 existing and 78 planned large dams in sub-Saharan Africa were mapped against the malaria stability index (stable, unstable and no malaria). The 'Plasmodium falciparum' infection rate (PfIR) was determined for populations at different distances (<1, 1-2, 2-5, 5-9 km) from the associated reservoirs using the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) and WorldPop databases. 'Results' derived from MAP were verified by comparison with the results of detailed epidemiological studies conducted at 11 dams. Results: Of the 1268 existing dams, 723 are located in malarious areas. Currently, about 15 million people live in close proximity (<5 km) to the reservoirs associated with these dams. A total of 1.1 million malaria cases annually are associated with them: 919,000 cases due to the presence of 416 dams in areas of unstable transmission and 204,000 cases due to the presence of 307 dams in areas of stable transmission. Of the 78 planned dams, 60 will be located in malarious areas and these will create an additional 56,000 cases annually. The variation in annual PfIR in communities as a function of distance from reservoirs was statistically significant in areas of unstable transmission but not in areas of stable transmission. 'Conclusion': In sub-Saharan Africa, dams contribute significantly to malaria risk particularly in areas of unstable transmission. Additional malaria control measures are thus required to reduce the impact of dams on malaria.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Malaria Journal, v.14, p. 1-12
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1475-2875
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 111706 Epidemiology
050204 Environmental Impact Assessment
050205 Environmental Management
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 420299 Epidemiology not elsewhere classified
410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring
410404 Environmental management
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 920404 Disease Distribution and Transmission (incl. Surveillance and Response)
960999 Land and Water Management of Environments not elsewhere classified
960599 Ecosystem Assessment and Management not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200404 Disease distribution and transmission (incl. surveillance and response)
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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