Abstract:
Background: Ethiopia has recently constructed dams to produce electricity, irrigate farmlands and
control flood to reduce poverty and sustain economic growth, this may result in elevated malaria
transmission. In this paper, we investigate the effects of a mega hydropower dam on Anopheles mosquito
species composition, density, longevity and malaria prevalence.
Method: Longitudinal entomological study was conducted from June –December 2013 in two kebeles (four
villages) in Tiro Afeta district, jimma zone Southwest Ethiopia. The two kebeles are; Koticha Gibe, which
is located near Gilgel Gibe hydroelectric dam and Decha Nadi, located away from the dam. Anopheline
mosquitoes were collected using CDC light trap catches and pyrethrum spray catches. In addition
retrospective parasitological study was conducted from June-December 2013. Data were analyzed using
SPSS version 16.0 statistical package. Descriptive statistics and student t-test were used during analysis
and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statically significant.
