Malaria from the gap: need for cross-sector co-operation in Azerbaijan.

This study explores the agricultural, environmental, and institutional determinants of malaria in Azerbaijan in 1999 and discusses ways to avoid its future outbreaks. Regression analysis and geographical maps are used to identify important policy variables for designing and implementing malaria control strategies. Results show that irrigation water use and soil salinity are significantly associated with malaria incidence, warranting further research to better understand the exact linkage mechanisms between agriculture and malaria. This also points out that there is scope for co-operation of agricultural, environmental and health organisations to reduce the spread of malaria.