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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/s12936-015-0873-2![]() |
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 |
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Appears in Collections: | Journal Article |
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