Malaria vector population dynamics in highland and lowland regions of western Kenya.

Background & Objectives: Malaria is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. A child below five years dies after every 30 min. Highland areas under land use change impact on malaria transmission by altering the microclimate of the immature stages and adult mosquitoes.

Effect of swamp cultivation on distribution of anopheline larval habitats in Western Kenya.

Background & Objectives: Malaria resurgence in highland regions of East Africa has been on increase. The spatio-temporal distribution of larval habitats of malaria vectors determines the distribution of adult vectors, hence, disease transmission. Vector's ecology is necessary for strategic vector control through effective plan for source reduction.

Land use and land cover changes and spatiotemporal dynamics of anopheline larval habitats during a four-year period in a highland community of Africa.

Spatial and temporal variations in the distribution of anopheline larval habitats and land use and land cover (LULC) changes can influence malaria transmission intensity. This information is important for understanding the environmental determinants of malaria transmission heterogeneity, and it is critical to the study of the effects of environmental changes on malaria transmission. In this study, we investigated the spatial and temporal variations in the distribution of anopheline larval habitats and LULC changes in western Kenya highlands over a 4-year period.

Landscape determinants and remote sensing of anopheline mosquito larval habitats in the western Kenya highlands.

Background: In the past two decades the east African highlands have experienced several major malaria epidemics. Currently there is a renewed interest in exploring the possibility of anopheline larval control through environmental management or larvicide as an additional means of reducing malaria transmission in Africa. This study examined the landscape determinants of anopheline mosquito larval habitats and usefulness of remote sensing in identifying these habitats in western Kenya highlands.

Association between land cover and habitat productivity of malaria vectors in western Kenyan highlands.

We examined the effects of land cover type on survivorship and productivity of Anopheles gambiae in Kakamega in the western Kenyan highlands (elevation = 1,420-1,580 meters above sea level). Under natural conditions, An. gambiae sensu lato adults emerged only from farmland habitats, with an estimated productivity of 1.

Plasmodium falciparum spatial analysis, western Kenya highlands.

We carried out a population-based study to determine the unbiased, age-specific Plasmodium falciparum prevalence, asexual and sexual parasite density, and spatial distribution to establish rates of infection at a site in western Kenya. Three cross-sectional surveys were carried out in western Kenya highlands. Blood samples were taken from 1,388 persons from 6 months to 75 years of age.

Spatial distribution of anopheline larval habitats in Western Kenyan highlands: effects of land cover types and topography.

The distributions of anopheline larval habitats were aggregated in valley bottoms in Kenya in both the rainy and dry seasons, although the degree of aggregation was higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. Larvae of the Anopheles gambiae complex larvae were found more frequently in habitats in farmlands and pastures. However, An.