DDT to Combat the Resurgence of Malaria Analytical Essay

Investigates if the use of the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is an environmentally and economically sensible option to reducie vector populations in combating the spread of malaria.
# 150793 | 1,915 words | 9 sources | APA | 2010 | TR
Published on Apr 23, 2012 in Environmental Studies (Environmental Problems) , Biology (Ecology) , Medical and Health (Public Health Issues)


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Description:

This paper explains that malaria, an insect vectored disease caused by parasitic protists belonging to the genus Plasmodium, transmitted to hosts by the female members of the mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, was thought to have been greatly reduced. Next, the author relates that many studies have determined that the abandonment of the use of DDT for malaria control has led to significant increases in malaria incidence in affected countries. Conversely, the paper underscores that, currently, DDT has been found to be an effective, cheap pesticide, which combined with environmentally friendly application methods, can combat malaria by reducing Anopheles vector populations.

From the Paper:

"Another study in the "South African Medical Journal" has reported findings similar to that generated by the statistical analysis of the previously mentioned research. In the research focusing on South Africa, the scientists used a somewhat simpler, although effective methodology; they simply gathered data from the nationwide Malaria Information System and conducted a statistical analysis. The study effectively demonstrates a link between the decrease of DDT use in reducing Anopheles populations and increased rates of malaria infections in several areas of the South African state. For example, the number of reported malaria cases in KwaZulu - Natal increased from below 5,000 cases in 1980 to almost 45,000 in 2002. In the Mpumelanga area, the increase in the same time period, corresponding to the decreased use of DDT for malaria eradication, was also significant, with 2,500 cases being reported in 1980 and close to 15,000 in 2001. One notable exception was the Shemula region, in which malaria cases actually declined. The study, however, attributed this decline to climatic changes in the area as well as widespread flooding attributed to those changes. Additionally, the study also considers the effects of the reintroduction of DDT in malaria control; it is reported that in KwaZulu, entomological research teams have been unable to capture a single specimen of Anopheles, even in the (previously) heavily infested areas of the region."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Curtis, C. F. (2002). Should the use of DDT be revived for malaria vector control? The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 455(61). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12596442
  • Dangers of DDT. (2003). Duke University. Retrieved from http://www.chem.duke.edu/~jds/cruise_chem/pest/ddtup.html
  • DDT and its derivatives. (1979). International Program on Chemical Safety. Retrieved from WHO : http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc009.htm#SubSectionNumber:1.1.2
  • Mader, S. (2002, April 3). Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification. In Marietta College. Retrieved from http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/102/2bioma95.html
  • Maharaj, R., Mthembu, D. J., & Sharp, B. L. (2008, November). Impact of DDT re-introduction on malaria transmission in KwaZulu-Natal. South American Medical Journal, 95(11). Retrieved from http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/viewFile/1885/1206

Cite this Analytical Essay:

APA Format

DDT to Combat the Resurgence of Malaria (2012, April 23) Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/ddt-to-combat-the-resurgence-of-malaria-150793/

MLA Format

"DDT to Combat the Resurgence of Malaria" 23 April 2012. Web. 22 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/ddt-to-combat-the-resurgence-of-malaria-150793/>

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