Environmental Factors and Preventive Methods against Malaria Parasite Prevalence in Rural Bomaka and Urban Molyko, Southwest Cameroon

Malaria transmission is perennial in Southwest Cameroon with seasonal increases during the rainy season, and varies with levels of urbanization [1]. The disease is also a major contributor to anaemia and may have profound consequences on learning and educational achievement of school age children [2]. Some studies have suggested that poor environmental sanitation and housing conditions. as well as lack of appropriate control measures might be significant risk factors for malaria parasite burden [3]. Environmental factors such as the presence of bushes and stagnant water around homes, rainfall, low altitude and high temperatures favor the breeding of malaria vectors, as well as parasite reproduction within them [4], while increased urbanization tends to reduce the rate of Anopheles breeding. The key to addressing the challenge of reducing malaria parasite prevalence is an integrated approach that combines preventative measures, such as Insecticide Treated bed Nets (ITNs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), improved access to effective anti-malarial drugs [5], as well as proper environmental management.