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

The above insights further strengthen the need for the use <strong>of</strong> the eco-health approach to
prevent and control malaria. The eco-health approach takes a holistic or systemic
perspective thereby integrating different components <strong>of</strong> the ecosystem which appear to
be isolated such as environment, health, economy and society. Plaen and Kilelu (2004)
emphasised that through eco-health approach, individuals can understand better the
complex interactions between the various components <strong>of</strong> the ecosystem which impact
health as well as well-being among human populations. Understanding these complex
interactions leads to development <strong>of</strong> proper management strategies which can improve
people’s well-being as well as sustainability <strong>of</strong> the ecosystem on which most <strong>of</strong> them
depend for livelihoods.
6.0 Conclusion
Malaria was found to be a major problem affecting people in all the sub-counties in
Kabale where the <strong>study</strong> was conducted. A relationship was found between <strong>fish</strong> <strong>farming</strong>
and malaria prevalence in households whose <strong>fish</strong> ponds and homestead sites were
characterised with crops such as coco yams and cabbages, Dracaena fragrans live fence
and abandoned <strong>fish</strong> ponds. There was also a relationship in some areas between the
distances from the <strong>fish</strong> ponds to the homestead where those living in close proximity to
<strong>fish</strong> ponds exhibited a higher malaria prevalence compared to those living in distal
areas – in other parts <strong>of</strong> Kabale however, such a relationship was not clear. It was found
that <strong>fish</strong> <strong>farming</strong> is only one <strong>of</strong> the factors that contribute to malaria prevalence in
Kabale. Other factors that contribute to malaria prevalence in Kabale include other land
uses (brick-laying, sand mining and stone quarrying, wetlands and swamps reclamation
for arable land), changing climatic conditions, ignorance, susceptibility and
compromised immunity. Therefore, to effectively tackle the malaria problem, the
government should address problems with <strong>fish</strong> <strong>farming</strong> and all the factors outlined
above.
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