People’s perceptions on the causes and impacts Of malaria on agricultural livelihoods in the Southern highlands of Tanzania The case of iringa rural district

This study was conducted in Iringa Rural District, Southern highlands of Tanzania with the general objective of investigating people’s perceptions on the causes and impacts of malaria morbidity on agricultural livelihoods in Southern highlands of Tanzania, Iringa Rural District. A case study research design and sampling techniques were adopted in data collection. A questionnaire, in depth interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation techniques were employed for data collection. The study revealed that, despite the education and awareness given on the causes and impacts of malaria still some people were ignoring to use mosquito nets distributed by the government due to limited knowledge about malaria disease. It further showed that, other people would prefer the use of traditional herbs and the use of panadol tablets instead of the prescribed malaria medicine because of low income levels, inadequate knowledge and reliable information on spread and effects of malaria pandemic disease. Furthermore, it was found that the rise in mean temperature of 27.7oC and fall in mean rainfall from 1000mm to 600 mm were important factors for increased incidences of malaria in the highlands. The findings revealed that the cause of malaria in the study area was the recent temperature increase due to climate change and variability. Moreover, the study revealed that increased mosquito breeding sites were contributed by the rapidly expanding human activities such as rice cultivation and forest clearance. In addition to that the study found that malaria had impacts on the management of agricultural activities because a lot of time was spent in care giving, treatment and funeral ceremonies. In the light of these findings, it is recommended that there should be an intensification of malaria combating strategies like provision of malaria health education and proper use of mosquito nets including destroying mosquitoes breeding sites.