Infectious Diseases and Rural Livelihood in Developing Countries

This book focuses on the effects of rural livelihood and the impact of infectious diseases on health and poverty. It explores the cultures and traditions in some developing countries and how these contribute to infectious disease management and prevention. It highlights the associated healthcare systems and how these have contributed to some of the challenges faced in infectious disease management. It goes on to elaborate on the importance of community involvement in infectious disease prevention, management and control. The book also emphasizes on the importance of surveillance and setting up strategies on infectious disease management that are favourable for poor communities and developing countries. Rural Livelihood and Infectious Diseases in Developing Countries is a book for students, researchers, healthcare workers, donors and governments to better understand the vicious cycle of health, poverty and livelihoods in developing countries and to develop strategies that can work better in these regions.

Fingani Mphande is a molecular biologist and a microbiologist who works on public health and infectious disease issues in developing countries. She has worked in international research laboratories in Africa, Europe and the South pacific focusing on infectious disease spread, prevention and management for over 10 years. During this time she has gained ample knowledge in public health issues affecting developing countries. Her work focuses on linking communities, scientists and health personnel regarding public health and infectious diseases. This includes drafting policies on infectious disease management and control, public health awareness on the epidemiology of infectious diseases, and dissemination of relevant public health information to media and communities. Fingani Mphande currently works as an independent consultant in Public Health, Infectious Disease and Molecular Biology. She has worked with infectious diseases including malaria, studying the parasite-host interactions and dengue fever, studying the vector-host interaction and vector management. She has annotated part of the Plasmodium genomes and also worked as a trainer in international workshops ‘Working with Pathogen Genomes’ with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. During her career she has authored papers in peer reviewed journals and has written and translated material regarding public health in the work place and in the community. She completed her PhD in infection biology from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden and holds a Master of Science degree from University of Botswana. She completed he undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College.