CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE INCREASE IN INCIDENCE OF MALARIA CASES IN THE DVOKOLWAKO AREA OF SWAZILAND FROM 1990-2004

The study examines the factors that account for the increase in malaria cases in Dvokolwako area (Swaziland), which in the past was generally malaria free. The two main aspects examined in the study area are climate change patterns and sugar cane cultivation under irrigation. Climatic data of the area was obtained from the Mbabane National Meteorological Service, whilst retrospective inpatient malaria data was obtained from Dvokolwako and Mliba clinics. Data on sugar cane growing was collected from the farmers through face-to-face questionnaire interviews. A field observation guide was used to collect information on the status of the sugar cane fields. The results clearly show that average temperatures have increased during the past fifteen years. It, therefore, appears that changes in climate parameters, especially maximum and minimum daily temperatures, have created conducive ecological conditions for mosquito breeding, thereby resulting in the increased incidence of reported malaria cases in the Dvokolwako area.