The Impact of Environmental Hygiene on Malaria Vector Transmission and Maternal Foetal Outcomes in Sub Saharan Africa: A Review

Abstract

Malaria remains a persistent public health threat in Sub-Saharan Africa, with high transmission rates and significant health burdens. Poor environmental sanitation has been identified as a major factor influencing malaria transmission by providing suitable breeding grounds for the Anopheles mosquito, the primary vector for the disease. This scoping review explores the role of environmental hygiene in reducing malaria transmission, focusing on factors such as water management, waste disposal, housing conditions, and urbanisation. It discusses the integration of environmental control measures with existing malaria interventions, such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), highlighting the potential benefits of a holistic approach to malaria control. Despite progress in malaria prevention, challenges related to insecticide resistance and inadequate sanitation persist. This review emphasises the need for comprehensive environmental hygiene strategies as part of malaria control programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.