AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE OUTBREAK OF CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS (CSM) IN ZARIA.

Inobeme, J.*, Iguisi, E.O., Murtala, M. and Ati, O.F.

This study evaluates the effects of environmental factors on the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in Zaria. Data on monthly maximum temperature, rainfall and reported cases of CSM, for a period of 20 years (1990-2009) were collected and analyzed. Three hundred and seventy two (372) questionnaires were used to collect data on the socio-economic conditions influencing outbreak of CSM. The study aimed at determining the prevalence rate of CSM in Zaria and identify the relationship between climatic parameters and the outbreaks of CSM in Zaria. The results reveal that within the 20 years period under review, there were 2595 patients affected with CSM in the study area. Also, the results obtained shows that the reported cases of CSM disease are high between April and May when temperatures are also higher. The research shows that Zaria Local Government Area has a high spatial spread of CSM within the period under review with 1349 total patients compared with Sabon Gari Local Government Area with a spatial distribution of 779 total patients while the remaining 467 patients reside outside the study area. The temporal spread of the disease shows that year 2003 has the highest rate of 322 (12%) followed by 2009, 1996 and 1993 episodes with a total of 269 (10.4%), 170 (6.6%) and 137 (5.3%) patients respectively. Besides, the correlation analysis indicates that the reported cases of CSM are positively and significantly related to temperature. Also, socio-economic conditions of the people was also observed to be a factor responsible for the outbreak of CSM as the total dependent population was 2281 (87.9%) and also 172 (4.3%) of the patients were traders. Accordingly, appropriate recommendations were proffered to minimize the effects of environmental factors on CSM outbreak in Zaria.

Key words: Cerebrospinal meningitis, Environmental factors, Evaluation, Meningococcal, Outbreak and prevalence.