A case study of fish farming impacts on malaria prevalence in - lumes

In addition, the <strong>study</strong> demonstrated that the risk <strong>of</strong> malaria transmission among
children staying in temporary farm huts with their parents was over 17-fold higher
compared with those that were staying in permanent homes. It further indicated that
there was no spatial correlation <strong>of</strong> malaria infection in children staying in houses which
were beyond 3.9 meters distance between each other.
Mugisha (2006) demonstrated that in Bushenyi, the poorly managed or abandoned <strong>fish</strong>
ponds contributed to mosquito proliferation. The various cultivated plants around the
<strong>fish</strong> ponds contributed significantly to vector reproduction for example water
accumulation at the base <strong>of</strong> the stem <strong>of</strong> manioc (yam) leaves used as <strong>fish</strong> feed was an
important site <strong>of</strong> mosquito reproduction.
Most <strong>of</strong> the researchers have highlighted poor management <strong>of</strong> the <strong>fish</strong> pond,
abandoning <strong>of</strong> the <strong>fish</strong> ponds and associated forms <strong>of</strong> agriculture as the main factors
relating <strong>fish</strong> <strong>farming</strong> to increase in malaria prevalence. However, Mugisha did not
consider <strong>fish</strong> pond numbers or <strong>fish</strong> pond density making interpretation a bit elusive,
Matthys and Maheu-Giroux did not take site characterization as an important factor
which very much relates to the pond management strategy they proposed as a potential
intervention towards malaria control in their respective <strong>study</strong> areas.
This <strong>study</strong> will consider all the above factors; also look into gender relations and other
socio-economic factors. This will help me integrate all these aspects to fully understand
and appreciate the interplay and dynamics involved in the malaria transmission,
prevention and control in the <strong>study</strong> area.
The results from this <strong>study</strong> will help the health sector to develop appropriate measures
and improve on their intervention approaches and preparedness to the risk <strong>of</strong> malaria
transmission in Kabale. The results will also increase awareness among the farmers
about <strong>fish</strong> <strong>farming</strong> malaria prevention and control strategies.
2.2 Fish <strong>farming</strong> in Uganda and Kabale
2.2.1 Fish <strong>farming</strong> in Uganda
Fish <strong>farming</strong> started in 1941 with the aim <strong>of</strong> encouraging rural development. Following
this initiative, common carp <strong>fish</strong> was imported into Uganda by the colonial government.
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