Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa is registering one of the highest urban population growth across the world. It is estimated that over 75% of the population in this region will be living in urban settings by 2050. However, it is not known how this rapid urbanization will affect vector populations and disease transmission. The present study summarizes findings from studies conducted in urban settings between the 1970s and 2020 to assess the effects of urbanization on the entomological inoculation rate pattern and anopheline species distribution. Different online databases such as PubMed, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Google were screened. A total of 90 publications were selected out of 1527. Besides, over 200 additional publications were consulted to collate information on anopheline breeding habitats and species distribution in urban settings. The study confirms high malaria transmission in rural compared to urban settings. The study also suggests that there had been an increase in malaria transmission in most cities after 2003, which could also be associated with an increase in sampling, resources and reporting. Species of the Anopheles gambiae complex were the predominant vectors in most urban settings. Anopheline larvae were reported to have adapted to different aquatic habitats. The study provides updated information on the distribution of the vector population and the dynamic of malaria transmission in urban settings. The study also highlights the need for implementing integrated control strategies in urban settings.
Highlights
Sub-Saharan Africa still bears the highest burden of malaria morbidity and mortality worldwide despite improvements in the diagnostic of the pathogens and large-scale deployment of vector control measures, such as Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) [1]
The present study summarizes findings from studies conducted in urban settings between the 1970s and 2020 to assess the effects of urbanization on the entomological inoculation rate pattern and anopheline species distribution
It has been reported that the most efficient malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) namely Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles coluzzii, Anopheles arabiensis, which had a strong preference for unpolluted water [13] displays a great adaptation pattern to polluted waters in urban cities [18, 19] and breed in different human-made habitats including containers filled with water, swimming pools, tyre tracks, water tanks [20]
Summary
Sub-Saharan Africa still bears the highest burden of malaria morbidity and mortality worldwide despite improvements in the diagnostic of the pathogens and large-scale deployment of vector control measures, such as Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) [1]. The rapid unplanned urbanization observed in many sub-Saharan Africa cities characterized by the colonization of lowland areas for house construction, the absence of drainage system for water, the presence of standing water collection everywhere due to the bad state of roads and poor housing are all considered to affect the distribution of vector population and malaria transmission pattern [11]. Considering the potential public health impact that urban malaria could have and potential effects on the economic development of countries, there have been during the last decade a renewed interest with several studies assessing malaria transmission pattern and vector bionomic in urban settings across sub-Saharan Africa [11, 18, 21, 25,26,27,28,29]. The present study’s objective is to carry out a review of the existing literature on malaria transmission across subSaharan Africa in order to provide a better understanding of the evolution of vector populations and malaria transmission pattern
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
