Malaria trend and effect of rainfall and temperature within Regions 7 and 8, Guyana

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify relationships between climatic conditions and malaria incidence within Regions 7 and 8. An association between malarial cases and climatic conditions were done by collecting data from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Malaria clinic & tropical disease laboratory during the period 2006-2013. Statistical analyses were done using ANOVA, T-tests, Chi Square tests and correlations. Mean rainfall (mm) and temperature recorded in region 7 were 73.4±9.0 mm (r=0.83; 95% CI 0.29-0.97) and 26.9±1.6 OC (r=0.21; 95% CI -0.58-0.80) respectively. Mean rainfall and temperature recorded in region 8 were 91.6±45.5 mm (r=(-0.71; 95% CI -0.9-0.0) and 23.9±2.0 OC (r=0.03; 95% CI -0.7-0.7) respectively. Mean ± SD for Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and mixed infections in region 7 throughout the study period were 1230.75±712.2, 1222.3±637.3, 24.1±36.3, 112±116.4 respectively. The mean ± SD of P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and mixed infections in region 8 were 1029.6±383.1, 935.8±583.1, 22.4±27.5, 85.4±54.3 respectively. Ethnicity, age group and gender showed a significant increase in malarial cases (p≤005). Climate change showed an effect on malarial incidence along with other demographic conditions like gender, ethnicity and age group.