Impact of Malaria on Productivity and Coping Strategies among Small -Scale Gari Processorsin Odeda Local Government Area Of Ogun State Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined health (malaria) as a determinant of productivity and the coping strategies employed during malaria incidence among gari processors in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria and suggest control strategy to ameliorate its effect. A total of 100 respondents were interviewed in ten communities using the simple random technique and information was gathered using a structured questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to identify significant variables affecting income while a framework was introduced to describe the socio-economic characteristics, identify the major health problems and coping strategies during malaria attack of gari processors. Regression analysis indicated that processing experience (α 0.01), prevalence of malaria (α
0.10), cost of tubers (α 0.01), cost of firewood used (α 0.10), and ownership of a cassava farm (α 0.01) were the significant factors affecting the income of the gari processors with the coefficient of 0.18, -0.87, 0.68, 1398.04, -0.26 respectively. An adjusted
R2 of 0.698 (69.8%) was obtained to explain the effect of the explanatory variables. The test of significant difference was used to test the null hypothesis, the effect of malaria on hours worked and output of gari processors showed statistical significance at 1% hence the null hypothesis was rejected. The coping strategies employed by 56 percent of the processors was the use of traditional herbs as a form of malaria treatment,
57 percent employed hired labour for processing during malaria attack while 60 percent disclosed that they do not have access to health care within their community
The study revealed that, malaria attack has a significant effect on productivity, workers output, income and work hours of gari processors. Therefore, the study recommended among others that provision of adequate health services with due accessibility, improve their health status, thereby reducing the poverty level among gari processors in line with United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for health by 2015.

African Research Review Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 118-129