International Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 2953-2108 Vol.  1 (1), pp. 002-008, January, 2017.  © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

A relationship between food crop production and incidence of malaria in the Ejisu-Juaben

*Kwame Mills Mahama, John M. Kufuor and Jerry B. Annan

Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, P. M. B, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Email:[email protected]

Accepted 11 January, 2016

Abstract

Malaria disease is a widespread problem in tropical countries. Recent publications have pointed to a correlation between enhanced agricultural activities and increasing prevalence of the disease. This paper therefore examined the relationship between food crop production and incidence of malaria in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Ninety-two percent of sampled respondents had reported malaria cases in the 2010 major season. Out of these reported cases, 53.3% were female farmers. Chi-square tests of independence showed statistically significant association between education and measures adopted to control malaria. Self – medication was observed among respondents in the face of malaria symptoms. During periods of malaria incapacitation, 90.2% of affected farmers refrained from farm work. This threatened household food security and resulted in reduction in farm revenue. Average seasonal losses attributable to malaria incidence was estimated at GH¢126 ($66.67). The study recommended that efforts should be focused on malaria education during the second and third quarters of the year when malaria incidence is most prevalent.

Key words: Malaria, incapacitation, Kendall’s coefficient, Ejisu-Juaben, Ghana.