ASSESSING RISK FACTORS OF MALARIA IN LAKHIMPUR DISTRICT OF ASSAM

Abstract

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted from person to person through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. The transmission of malaria can be determined by climatic and host factors. The objective of this paper is to trace the host factors of malaria incidence and also to determine the relationship between climatic factors and malaria incidence in Lakhimpur district of Assam. In order to examine the association between monthly malaria incidence rates and climatic variables, Pearson correlation analysis has been used. Also, Chi-square test for independence of attributes is performed to trace the host factors of malaria incidence. A uctuating trend was observed for reported malaria cases during the years 2000-2011. Both positive and negative correlation have occurred between climatic variable and MIR. Also, we have observed that male is more affected by malaria incidence than female. Among the age groups, the age group 15-39 years was found most affected age group than other age groups. After Chi-square test for independence of attributes we reveal that malaria depends on sex and age. SUMMARY: From our study, we suggest that even if the climatic factors play a primary role for transmission of malaria, sex and age are other important risk factors in characterizing malaria incidence in the district.