Spatial and Environmental Analysis of Malaria Occurrence in Southern Edo Households
Household morbidity and mortality figures on malaria clearly shows that it is a disease not to be taken lightly. The tendency to trivialise the disease as common and easily treatable may account for the high global mortality rates of malaria amongst households. The major aim of the study is to investigate various environmental factors, (vegetation, waste dump sites, and stagnant water pools), as predictors of malaria prevalence in Southern Edo State. The multi-level regression analysis was used to explore the various environmental predictors of malaria. Approximately 630 households were selected from among 21 communities in the 7 Local Government Areas of the study area, using a systematic random sampling technique. The cross-sectional and longitudinal survey methods were employed to elicit information for the study, while data were analysed using the IBM SPSS statistical software, version 24. The study revealed that vegetation around households is a significant predictor of malaria outcomes in the study area, while waste dump sites and stagnant pools around households were not so significant. The multi-level regression analysis of environmental variables indicates that, among all factors tested, the presence of vegetation shows a positive and statistically significant association with malaria occurrence among households in the study area, with a p-value of less than 0.000. This indicates that households with more vegetation are likely to experience higher malaria incidence in the region. Therefore, significant measures to reduce vegetation around households through regular weeding, fumigation, etc., in the study area is essential in curbing malaria occurrence in Southern Edo State.