Spatial analysis of climatic factors and plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence among children in Ghana

ElsevierVolume 43, November 2022, 100537Spatial and Spatio-temporal EpidemiologyHighlights•

Africa accounts for 94% of malaria cases globally, and children unduly affected by malaria deaths (67% of malaria deaths).

Plasmodium falciparum (deadliest vector) accounts for 95% of malaria cases in Ghana.

There are different climate zones across Ghana which affect malaria prevalence.

Findings from local regression analysis showed geographical variation in malaria prevalence among children.

Child malaria was highest in south western, north western and northern Ghana.

Abstract

Malaria is a major public health problem especially in Africa where 94% of global malaria cases occur. Malaria prevalence and mortalities are disproportionately higher among children. In 2019, children accounted for 67% of malaria deaths globally. Recently, climatic factors have been acknowledged to influence the number and severity of malaria cases. Plasmodium falciparum—the most deadly malaria parasite, accounts for more than 95% of malaria infections among children in Ghana. Using the 2017 Ghana Demographic Health Survey data, we examined the local variation in the prevalence and climatic determinants of child malaria. The findings showed that climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall aridity and Enhanced Vegetation Index are significantly and positively associated with Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence among children in Ghana. However, there are local variations in how these climatic factors affect child malaria prevalence. Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence was highest among children in the south western, north western and northern Ghana.

Keywords

Malaria prevalence

Malaria and climate

Childhood malaria

Local spatial analysis

Ghana

Data Availability

Data will be made available on request.

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