Socioeconomic and Environmental Determinants of Urban Malaria Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kato Nabirye H.

Faculty of Business, Kampala International University, Uganda

                                                              ABSTRACT
Urban malaria is an emerging public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where rapid urbanization, socioeconomic disparities, and environmental degradation create conditions conducive to malaria transmission. This systematic review examines the socioeconomic and environmental determinants shaping malaria risk in urban and peri-urban settings across SSA. Evidence from multiple studies indicates that poverty, overcrowded housing, inadequate sanitation, poor drainage systems, and unplanned urban growth significantly elevate malaria vulnerability among urban populations. While urbanization can reduce transmission through improved housing and infrastructure, informal settlements often lacking essential services, serve as persistent malaria hotspots. This review highlights the interconnected roles of social inequality, environmental mismanagement, and weak urban governance in sustaining malaria risk. Strengthening vector control, enhancing urban planning, and addressing socioeconomic inequities are essential to achieving sustainable malaria reduction in African cities.

Keywords: Urban malaria, Sub-Saharan Africa, socioeconomic determinants, environmental factors.

CITE AS: Kato Nabirye H. (2026). Socioeconomic and Environmental Determinants of Urban Malaria Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa. INOSR HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 12(1): 26-31.
https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRHSS/2026/121.2631