Malaria - Developing World Disease

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

• A parasite spread by the female anopheles mosquito.
• Stagnant water – suitable breeding ground for the mosquitoes.
• Temperatures 15-40°c

Hot, wet climates

• Humidity over 60%
• Moderate to high rainfall
• Altitude below 3000m
• High population

Shade created by buildings
* Bad sanitation and poor irrigation

Question 2

Social consequences

Answer 2

• Fever, shivering, anaemia, enlarged spleen, can be fatal especially is immune system is weakened by malnutrition.
• HIV pregnant women who contact malaria are more likely to pass HIV onto their child.
• Chronic absenteeism in school children

Lose 8-10 days work per attack

Question 3

Economic consequences

Answer 3

• Income 60% lower than non-malaria areas.
• Airport malaria is increasing due to international tourism and trade.
• More likely to focus on subsistence cropping which is less risky than cash cropping.
• GDP Growth rate is lowered by 1-3% per year.
• Accounts for 30-50% of all hospital admissions.
• Costs up to 40% of public health expenditure.

Question 4

preventative measures

Answer 4

• Wash walls with insecticides such as DDT/Malathion.
• Use mosquito nets coated with natural insecticide
• Release water from dams to drown immature larvae.
• Produce sterile male mosquitoes.

Drain breeding sites.

• Plant eucalyptus trees to absorb excess water.

Introduce small fish into paddy fields to eat larvae.

• Anti malaria tablets such as chloroquinine.

Question 5

effectiveness

Answer 5

• Although cheap, DDT is carcinogenic and has been banned.
• Mosquito nets are expensive but are effective.
• Releasing water is wasteful
• Chloroquinine – mosquitoes developing resistance.
• Eucalyptus trees – sustainable method
• Carp – source of protein for locals, eats larvae.