Environmental Management for Malaria Control: Knowledge and Practices in Mvomero, Tanzania

Abstract

Environmental conditions play an important role in the transmission of malaria; therefore, regulating these conditions can help to reduce disease burden. Environmental management practices for disease control can be implemented at the community level to complement other malaria control methods. This study assesses current knowledge and practices related to mosquito ecology and environmental management for malaria control in a rural, agricultural region of Tanzania. Household surveys were conducted with 408 randomly selected respondents from 10 villages and qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Results show that respondents are well aware of the links between mosquitoes, the environment, and malaria. Most respondents stated that cleaning the environment around the home, clearing vegetation around the home, or draining stagnant water can reduce mosquito populations, and 63% of respondents reported performing at least one of these techniques to protect themselves from malaria. It is clear that many respondents believe that these environmental management practices are effective malaria control methods, but the actual efficacy of these techniques for controlling populations of vectors or reducing malaria prevalence in the varying ecological habitats in Mvomero is unknown. Further research should be conducted to determine the effects of different environmental management practices on both mosquito populations and malaria transmission in this region, and increased participation in effective techniques should be promoted.

Land-use patterns and their implication on malaria transmission in Kilosa District, Tanzania

“…These results are supported by various works done in Tanzania [41–44]. Malaria is a particular problem in agricultural areas, as land use practices implemented often result in increased presence of breeding sites [6, 45]. The influence of agricultural systems on health is particularly notable via the intermediary process of land use change.…”

Effects of environmental modification on the diversity and positivity of anopheline mosquito aquatic habitats at Arjo-Dedessa irrigation development site, Southwest Ethiopia

“…In Africa, larval source management have been shown to be very effective in areas where mosquito breeding habitats are distinct and accessible [30]. Studies showed that when larval management is integrated with LLINs and IRS, a great improvement would be seen in malaria control efforts than IRS and LLINs alone [31,32]. The present study indicated that availability of distinct mosquito breeding habitats during the dry and wet seasons, indicating the potential use of larval source management to reduce the mosquito population.…”

Factors impeding the acceptability and use of malaria preventive measures: implications for malaria elimination in eastern Rwanda

“…For example, communities may organize a campaign for fighting bedbugs in villages most affected and/or plan for plastering the houses of families with poor housing conditions. The focus of “ Umuganda” in regards to destroying mosquito-breeding sites around homesteads has been promoted and should be maintained as the regulation of environmental conditions through management practices at community level could reduce disease burden [ 16 ].…”