Effects of malaria on households welfare in Kampala District: A case study of Kawempe Division

Abstract

The research focused on the effect of Malaria on household welfare in Kawempe Division. The effect of Malaria on welfare was assessed by means of a cohort study of household in a region prone to Malaria attacks. Comparisons are drawn between the affected and non affected households. The methodology used a survey of 120 households. The subsequent analysis based on data from the sample presents some indication of the effect of Malaria on household welfare.

The study considered the estimation of direct costs which are the economic resources spent because of the disease and the indirect cost that do not involve a cash disbursement of money but represent a loss of opportunities to produce or to work. The study employed a regression ordinary least square regression model to estimate the relationship between Malaria incidence and wages, labour supply and households expenditure.

The survey findings established that Malaria impact negatively on to household wages, labour supply and savings. A unit rise in Malaria index would result into a 0.13 decline in house hold wages and Vice versa. While a unit rise in the Malaria index would result into a 0.12 decline in the supply of households labour. A rise in the index of malaria would result into a 0.1 rise in the cost of treating Malaria and vice versa. Similarly a rise in Malaria index would result an increase in household expenditure by 0.1.

Results from the survey concurred with the researchers expectations as shown by results from respondents, which contends that Malaria imposes a serious challenge to households wellbeing through increased cost of prevention, treatment and control. If the indirect cost of malaria is estimated, then malaria is solely responsible for the declining living standards, households miseries arising from the pain inflicted on individuals, and worries generated by the opportunity cost of malaria prevention and treatment.

Overall, the survey makes the following recommendations. Control, Prevention and Treatment of Malaria is vital for the success of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). Government of Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to improve households’ welfare through poverty reduction as highlighted by government’s economic policy agenda. Aware of the significant role of health in initiating and sustaining growth, efforts to achieve poverty reduction cannot be realized unless successful intervention s are undertaken at household level to arrest malaria problem considered.