Disease Dilemma's - Case Study - Malaria in Ethiopia - Communicable Disease Flashcards
How many die from Malaria in Ethiopia in 1990 and now?
1990: 30k deaths a year and 2020: 2,000 a year
How much of Ethiopia is ‘at risk’ of Malaria and in what % of the country is Malaria ‘endemic’?
At risk: 66% (2/3) of population and Endemic: 75%
How is Malaria distributed in Ethiopia?
Highest in western lowlands, malaria-free in central highlands and low prevalence in eastern arid regions (occasional epidemics in rainy reasons)
Which specific regions in the western lowlands have highest prevalence of Malaria?
Tigray, Gambella & Amhara
Physical factors lead to high prevalence of malaria in areas of Ethiopia?
High temperature (25*C), humidity and rainfall (2,000 mm/year) in western lowlands
Physical factors lead to low prevalence of malaria in areas of Ethiopia?
Altitude (i.e temp decrease with altitude in highlands = mosquitoes can not survive), Too arid in parts of East (i.e Afar Desert) - mosquitoes lethargic at 15C, cannot function at 10C
Human factors in farming that increase prevalence of malaria in Ethiopia (3)
1) Seasonal migration of farm workers from malaria-free highlands to western lowlands (more people get infected)
2) Harvesting occurs at sunset = mosquitoes most active at this time
3) Migrant workers sleep in fields = no protection
Human factors related to irrigation that increase prevalence of malaria in Ethiopia
Irrigation projects (i.e Gambella or Awash Valley) = lots of micro-dams, canals and ponds created = habitats for mosquitoes
Human factors related to urbanisation that increase prevalence of malaria in Ethiopia
Provide breeding sites for mosquitoes as towns grow - i.e containers for water, garbage dumps, flooded building foundations
When is peak malarial transmission period in Ethiopia?
June-Sept. The Rainy Season during which migrant workers move west to work in agricultural west lowlands
Main ways Malaria impacts socio-economics in Ethiopia
Absenteeism, Reduced production, Economic pressure on health services
What does ‘absenteeism’ mean and how does it relate to malaria?
People get ill and have to miss work which means they lose income. This can deepen the cycle of poverty for the poorest people
How much of health expenditure in Ethiopia goes on malaria?
- 40%
How many hospital admissions are related to malaria in Ethiopia?
- 10%
How much does malaria cost Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of ‘lost production’ (i.e. people not working)
- $12 billion a yr
How can malaria affect food security in Malaria? (2)
1) Less production in main agricultural areas (Western Lowlands) because of high prevalence
2) High prevalence in other areas forces high pop. Densities in Highlands = leads high pressure and degradation of land
What is the PMI? When established?
Presidents Malaria Initiative in 2005
How long was the Ethiopian govt plan to tackle? When set up?
- 5 year plan set up in 2011
Which supra-nationals did the Ethiopian government work with to set up malaria prevention?
UNICEF, World Bank & WHO
Direct strategies for dealing with malaria in Ethiopia? (2)
Spraying houses indoor & outside with insecticides (every 6 months) & destroying breeding sites (i.e larvaecides in stagnant water)
Indirect strategies for dealing with malaria in Ethiopia? (3)
- Mass publicity campaigns on symptoms & causes of malaria (i.e avoiding breeding sites),
- Bed-nets coated in insecticides,
- Early diagnosis & treatment within 24 hrs
Success of strategies in Ethiopia?
- No malaria epidemics since 2003 and malaria death rates halved since 2000.
- Worst provinces have got much better (Amhara 4.6% pop had malaria in 2006, 0.8% in 2011)
