Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41199346›Full record

ArticleMalaria journal2025

Climate change and malaria in Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe: emerging evidence and pathways towards malaria prevention.

Walter Musakwa, Ntlakala B Selamolela, Auspicious Ndlovu, Chenjerai Zanamwe, Brian Dhlandhlara, Bob Mandinyenya

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Malaria journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Walter MusakwaDepartment of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. wmusakwa@uj.ac.za.
Ntlakala B SelamolelaDepartment of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Auspicious NdlovuCifoSUDE, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
Chenjerai ZanamweChiredzi Rural District Council, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
Brian DhlandhlaraMinistry of Health and Child Care, Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe.
Bob MandinyenyaGonarezhou Conservation Trust, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.

Funding

this work was supported by the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), Falcon Awards FADE4C/06
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundClimate change can influence malaria incidence directly and indirectly, impacting vector and parasite dynamics, along with socioeconomic factors influencing malaria risk. In Zimbabwe there is a paucity of research linking climate change, environmental factors, and malaria incidence, hindering coordinated efforts for malaria elimination. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to explore the link between climate change, environmental factors, and malaria incidences, from 2010 to 2022, in Chiredzi district, Zimbabwe.

methodsA transdisciplinary approach was applied, combining quantitative weather data from weather stations, malaria incidence data and insights from focus group discussions which were used to glean people's perceptions and knowledge of climate change and malaria in Chiredzi District. Participatory mapping showing hot spots of malaria incidence were also utilized. Statistical analysis in MATLAB was used to analyse the weather and malaria data and a P-value of 0.0479 was obtained which is deemed as statistically significant. ATLAS.ti was used to qualitatively analyse data from the focus group discussions.

resultsKey results from the study show evidence of climate change in Chiredzi district manifesting through an increase in rainfall, increase in temperature, change in seasons and extreme weather patterns. Furthermore, there is a positive relationship between changes in climate and an increase in malaria incidence. However, in some years the relation is negative, and this can be attributed to other factors. Similarly, malaria incidence is also related to other socioeconomic and environmental factors such as poverty and migration which are further exacerbated by climate change. Malaria incidence is also attributed to other environmental and socio-economic factors.

conclusionsFurther studies with extended datasets that span a longer period need to be carried out. Likewise forecasting malaria incidence based on current climate, environmental and socio-economic conditions is crucial for advocating transformative malaria prevention programs, emphasizing the importance of inclusive partnership and adaptation to a changing climate. New malaria prevention programs that consider the impact of a changing climate on malaria, local environmental and socio-economic factors are urgently needed.

Indexed as

Climate ChangeMalariaHumansIncidenceMaleWeatherZimbabweChiredziClimate changeHealthMalariaMosquitoZimbabwe

Identifiers

PMID41199346
PMCPMC12590813

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.