Climate change and epidemiological trends of malaria and Lassa fever transmission in Nigeria (2015-2022): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Moses ONAZI 1, *, Aisha Ejura DAHUNSI 2, Bolanle Rafiat IBRAHIM 3 and Ayodeji Adams DAHUNSI 3

1 Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), University of Basel, Switzerland
2 Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Abuja, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.
3 Department of Microbiology, University of Abuja, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.
 
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(01), 394–407
Article DOI10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.1.2932
Publication history: 
Received on 15 August 2024; revised on 28 September 2024; accepted on 30 September 2024
 
Abstract: 
Background: Climate change exacerbates infectious disease transmission in Nigeria, a country with a high burden of infectious diseases.
Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the relationship between climate variability and infectious disease transmission in Nigeria.
Methods: We systematically searched major databases, identifying 25 studies, with 11 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis using R version 4.4.1.
Results: The meta-analysis revealed significant associations between temperature increases and malaria (pooled effect estimate = 1.034, 95% CI: 1.016-1.052) and Lassa fever (pooled effect estimate = 1.029, 95% CI: 1.015-1.043) transmission. Egger's funnel plot showed no significant publication bias, and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the association between climate variability and infectious disease transmission in Nigeria. This underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations, including children under 5, pregnant women, the elderly, people with comorbidity, and low-income communities.
 
Keywords: 
Climate change; Infectious disease transmission; Nigeria; Systematic review; Meta-analysis
 
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