The impact of anthropogenic environmental changes on the epidemiology of malaria in Amani area, northeastern - highlands of Tanzania

Abstract

This study was conducted in Muheza District, Northeastern Tanzania where, Amani area is located between 5° 06'-5° 13'S and 38° 32'-38° 41'E. at an altitude of 1130 m. The objective of the study was to determine the anthropogenic environmental impact on the epidemiology of malaria in the past thirty years. On primary data, random surveys for field observations were made in the study area. The secondary data were accessed through annual medical reports, parasitological and meteorological data base for retrospective study. The data were analysed by using SPSS version 11.0, MS Excel 2003, MINITAB 14 to determine the regression analysis and correlations between malaria prevalence underfive years with rainfall, temperature and clearance of vegetation cover during the period under study. The study observed significant correlation patterns of malaria prevalence underfive years with total annual rainfall, r = -0221 (P>0.05); annual mean temperature, r = 0.06 (P = 0.001); and vegetation clearance in terms of hectares, r = -0344 (P =0.05). The study marks for the first time an important striking database on warming earths’ mean surface temperature of 0.132°C in Tanzania. In conclusion, the human environmental activities have had an impact on the epidemiology of malaria in the Amani area during the past thirty years. It is hereby, recommended that anthropogenic activities especially deforestation, should be abandoned in Amani so as to minimize source of mosquito breeding sites and increase carbon sinks, the appropriate way is conservation of Amani natural forest. Research on trends of environmental climatic impact on epidemiology of malaria found in other highlands in Tanzania is highly important.