Impacts of Climate Variability on Malaria Incidence in the Buea Municipality of Cameroon; Implications for Malaria Control and Prevention

Changes in global climatic conditions have had profound effects on the environment and human health as epitomized by the changing disease patterns. The case of malaria in the Buea sub-division of the Southwest Region of Cameroon is of profound interest. Fundamental changes in rainfall and temperature conditions have far-reaching implications on malaria incidence as revealed by field data collected from the Regional delegation of public health in the Region which was corroborated with climatic data for a period of 5 years (2010-2014) obtained from the meteorological station of the Cameroon Development Corporation in Tiko. By use of descriptive statistical techniques and the coefficient of variation, results indicate both positive and negative effects of climate variability on malaria incidence in the study area. Based on this, it is incumbent on the government to integrate climate variability in health policy and ensure that all health programs take climate variability concerns in their plans and operations.