Title: Combining the effects of climatic factors
Course: Communicable Diseases Part 1 - Ethiopia (Full)

Combining the effects of climatic factors

Now think of your village in terms of its suitability for malaria transmission. How many (if any) malaria cases occur each month? Does the number vary between months? When do you see the highest number? Write down the reasons you think are responsible for the variation in the number of malaria cases in your community. Then answer the following questions.

What factors do you think are responsible for the high malaria incidence in some months? Consider the following factors and decide which of them would apply to your village

1. Immediately following the rains; if so, why?
2. When the temperature is hot; if so, why?
3. When the rains fail and there is drought; if so, why?
4. When the fields are covered with vegetation; if so, why?

Show answer

Of course, we don't know the climatic pattern in your village, but malaria transmission could be high:

1. Immediately following the rains, because there will be plenty of water collections for vector breeding after the rainy season.
2. When the temperature is hot, because temperature speeds up vector and parasite development.
3. When the rains fail and there is drought, because rivers and small streams slow down into pools, creating stagnant water collections for vector breeding.
4. When the fields are covered with vegetation, because when the vegetation cover is high the humidity increases; higher humidity helps the mosquito to live longer and transmit malaria.