Beyond eves and cracks: An interdisciplinary study of socio-spatial variation in urban malaria transmission in Ethiopia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000173
• Publication Date: 2022-04-22T13:23:23Z
• Authors: Claudia Nieto-San...; Stefanie Dens; Kalkidan Solomon; Asgedom Haile; Yue Yuan; Thomas Hawer; Delenasaw Yewhalaw; Adamu Addissie; Koen Peeters Grie...
• Keywords: Anopheles gambiae; Human settlement

During the past century, global trend of reduced malaria transmission has been concurrent with increasing urbanization. Although urbanization traditionally considered beneficial for vector control, adaptation vectors to urban environments created concerns among scientific communities and national control programs. Since rates in Ethiopia are highest world, Ethiopian government developed an initiative focused on building multi-storied units organized condominium housing. This study aimed develop interdisciplinary methodological approach that integrates architecture, landscape urbanism, medical anthropology, entomology characterize exposure this form housing three condominiums Jimma Town. Mosquitoes were collected using light trap catches (LTCs) both indoor outdoor during 2019’s rainy season. Architectural drawings ethnographic research superposed entomological data detect critical interactions between uses space settlement conditions potentially affecting abundance distribution. A total 34 anopheline mosquitoes comprising species ( Anopheles gambiae s . l , An pharoensis coustani complex ) months mosquito collection. principal Ethiopia, was predominant all anophelines collected. Distribution breeding sites across scales (household, settlement, landscape) is explained by environmental conditions, socio-cultural practices involving modification existing spaces, systemic misfits built environment territory. Variations distribution mainly related standard ignore original logics territory, deficiency water waste disposal management systems, adaptations fit heterogeneous lifestyles residents. Our results indicate contextualizing strategies relation ecology, social dynamics determining specific space, as well territorial could strengthen current elimination efforts. individual remains a unit interventions, demonstrates importance studying settlements at communal level capture impacting household areas.