Climatic Variables and Disease Incidence in Ghana: A Study of Cerebrum Spinal Meningitis (CSM)

Abstract

Aim: The study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of climatic factors on the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Obuasi Municipality of Ghana. Significance: The project provides a validated climatic pattern and serves as reference point to: 1. Health administrators on CSM emergency preparedness which could lead to the prevention of fatalities as measures would be put in place to address an occurrence. 2. Environmentalists on the environmental factors that cause CSM outbreak. 3. Health consultants for sensitization and creations of awareness of the causes of CSM. 4. Stakeholders for planning and implementation of outbreak preparedness methods and strategy. Methodology: Time series data on rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity was obtained from Ghana Meteorological Agency in Accra and AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi. The rainfall and temperature values were taken from 1980 to 2011 while that of relative humidity was drawn from 1987 to 2011 due to the unavailability of data. Data on the reported case of CSM was obtained from Ghana Health Service. The data was analyzed using Cluster and correlation analysis. Results: Correlation analysis indicates that the reported cases of CSM in Obuasi are positively and significantly related to temperature. However, from the cluster analysis there were no reported cases of CSM in other towns in the same cluster as Obuasi. Conclusion: Climatic factors serve as catalyst for the occurrence of CSM. Without the complex interplay amongst these factors and the virus or bacterial CSM will not break out as the bacteria causing bacteria meningitis are commonly found in the nose and throat but not harmful.