The Epidemiological, Socio Economic, and Ecological Implications of Deforestation on Malaria in South West Nigeria
IMPACTS OF DEFORESTATION ON MALARIA IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA: THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS
Abstract
Forest resources in Nigeria are undergoing severe exploitation pressure due to demographic growth and socio-economic development. Through the process of forest clearing, deforestation alters the ecology of local malaria vectors. The overall goal of this study was to seek to clarify the mechanisms linking deforestation, economic development and malaria epidemiology and the ecological implications. The research methodology stresses a mix scale approach involving social research in areas of active and non-active deforestation in Ebonyi state Nigeria and the descriptive assessment and analysis of the forest resource exploitation issues, as well as the implication for sustainable forest resource management. Findings indicate that the income status of individuals residing in the areas of active deforestation was lower than those of areas of non-active deforestation. Higher yearly episodes of malaria and the tendency to spend less amount of money for malaria treatment characterized the areas of active deforestation and the inhabitants had higher preference for use of woodfuel and use of forest medicinal herbs for malaria treatment. In the areas of active deforestation, the mosquito night biting/landing rates were considerably higher than those of areas of non-active deforestation. Conservation policies aimed at slowing deforestation will impact malaria and would reduce the increasing incidence of deforestation-dependent malaria epidemics.
Introduction
Forest biodiversity, and the natural functioning of forest ecosystems, contribute immensely to human health. Indeed, the drastic alteration of forest systems – through large-scale deforestation– can open up opportunities for disease-causing pathogens, such as parasites, viruses or bacteria, to infect other organisms with which they have previously had no contact [1]. In Nigeria as in most
Abstract
Forest resources in Nigeria are undergoing severe exploitation pressure due to demographic growth and socio-economic development. Through the process of forest clearing, deforestation alters the ecology of local malaria vectors. The overall goal of this study was to seek to clarify the mechanisms linking deforestation, economic development and malaria epidemiology and the ecological implications. The research methodology stresses a mix scale approach involving social research in areas of active and non-active deforestation in Ebonyi state Nigeria and the descriptive assessment and analysis of the forest resource exploitation issues, as well as the implication for sustainable forest resource management. Findings indicate that the income status of individuals residing in the areas of active deforestation was lower than those of areas of non-active deforestation. Higher yearly episodes of malaria and the tendency to spend less amount of money for malaria treatment characterized the areas of active deforestation and the inhabitants had higher preference for use of woodfuel and use of forest medicinal herbs for malaria treatment. In the areas of active deforestation, the mosquito night biting/landing rates were considerably higher than those of areas of non-active deforestation. Conservation policies aimed at slowing deforestation will impact malaria and would reduce the increasing incidence of deforestation-dependent malaria epidemics.
Introduction
Forest biodiversity, and the natural functioning of forest ecosystems, contribute immensely to human health. Indeed, the drastic alteration of forest systems – through large-scale deforestation– can open up opportunities for disease-causing pathogens, such as parasites, viruses or bacteria, to infect other organisms with which they have previously had no contact [1]. In Nigeria as in most
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