Effect of Malaria on Rural Household's Farm Income in Imo State-a Case Study of Umuna Orlu and Umuagwo Ohaji Egbema Village

Objective: Malaria is one of the commonest tropical diseases plaguing the African continent and the rural areas of the continent in particular, Hence this study was carried out to analyze the effect of malaria on the overall farm income of the rural households, the level of awareness and use of modern preventive measures of treating malaria in Umuna Orlu and Umuagwo Ohaji Egbema in Imo State. Methods: Stratified random sampling procedure was employed for the research survey in which the first level of stratification involved the random selection of two local government area (L.G.A.) the second level of stratification was that of selection of 12 villages and the third level of stratification was the selection of 42 households each from the villages. A total number of 500 respondents were finally used for data analysis using both descriptive and multiple regression techniques. Results: Low level of awareness (60%) use of modern preventive measures (20%), poor sanitary conditions and large household eight persons), were the major factors responsible for the high malaria incidence in the rural household. The increase in malaria incidence however had a significant effect on the health and farm income of the farmers through increase in the number of days of incapacitation of an average of 209 days and an income loss of N43, 020 during the days of incapacitation. The recommended policies arising from the economic implications of these empirical findings were that public enlightenment under the aegis of the "Roll Back malaria campaign" should be intensified in the rural areas in particular and treated mosquito bed nets provided at subsidized rates to rural households. Farmers on their part should keep clean environment.