Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central America

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purposes of this study were to map overall malaria incidence rates from 1989 through 1999 for villages in Belize; to assess the seasonal distribution of malaria incidence by region; and to correlate malaria incidence rates with v...

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Main Authors: Masuoka Penny, Hakre Shilpa, Vanzie Errol, Roberts Donald R
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2004-03-01
Series:International Journal of Health Geographics
Online Access:http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/3/1/6
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spelling doaj-f5b1e9aeff8849728b22f38de5a74b8a2020-11-25T00:04:26ZengBMCInternational Journal of Health Geographics1476-072X2004-03-0131610.1186/1476-072X-3-6Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central AmericaMasuoka PennyHakre ShilpaVanzie ErrolRoberts Donald R<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purposes of this study were to map overall malaria incidence rates from 1989 through 1999 for villages in Belize; to assess the seasonal distribution of malaria incidence by region; and to correlate malaria incidence rates with vegetation cover and rivers in villages, using geographic information system technology.</p> <p>Malaria information on 156 villages was obtained from an electronic database maintained by the Belize National Malaria Control Program. Average annual malaria incidence rates per 1000 population over 10 years were calculated for villages using the 1991 population census as a denominator. Malaria incidence rates were integrated with vegetation cover from a 1995 vegetation map, and with river data from a digital data set.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mapping malaria incidence over the 10-year period in the study villages indicated the existence of a spatial pattern: the southern and western areas of Belize had consistently higher rates of malaria than northern areas. Examination of the seasonal distribution of malaria incidence by month over 10 years indicated that a statistically significant difference existed among districts and among months (p < 0.05). Spatial analysis of malaria incidence rates and of vegetation in Belize showed villages with high malaria rates having more broadleaf hill forests, agricultural land, and wetland vegetation types (i.e. SWF-seasonally waterlogged fire-induced shrubland of the plains). Statistical and spatial analyses of malaria incidence and of river distributions in Belize determined the high 10 percentile malaria incidence villages in western and southern Belize to have more rivers within two kilometers of the center of a village and a statistically significant correlation between proximity to rivers and villages (Spearman's γ = -0.23; p < 0.05), especially in Stann Creek District (Spearman's γ = -0.82; p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Examination of the distribution of malaria during 10 years indicated transmission varied among geographic areas and among seasons. Additional studies are needed to examine, in more detail, the association between environmental and meteorological factors and malaria transmission. Furthermore, the role of <it>An. darlingi </it>in malaria transmission in Stann Creek needs further study since, of the three main vectors in Belize, <it>An. darlingi </it>has been found strongly associated with rivers.</p> http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/3/1/6
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Masuoka Penny
Hakre Shilpa
Vanzie Errol
Roberts Donald R
spellingShingle Masuoka Penny
Hakre Shilpa
Vanzie Errol
Roberts Donald R
Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central America
International Journal of Health Geographics
author_facet Masuoka Penny
Hakre Shilpa
Vanzie Errol
Roberts Donald R
author_sort Masuoka Penny
title Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central America
title_short Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central America
title_full Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central America
title_fullStr Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central America
title_full_unstemmed Spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in Belize, Central America
title_sort spatial correlations of mapped malaria rates with environmental factors in belize, central america
publisher BMC
series International Journal of Health Geographics
issn 1476-072X
publishDate 2004-03-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purposes of this study were to map overall malaria incidence rates from 1989 through 1999 for villages in Belize; to assess the seasonal distribution of malaria incidence by region; and to correlate malaria incidence rates with vegetation cover and rivers in villages, using geographic information system technology.</p> <p>Malaria information on 156 villages was obtained from an electronic database maintained by the Belize National Malaria Control Program. Average annual malaria incidence rates per 1000 population over 10 years were calculated for villages using the 1991 population census as a denominator. Malaria incidence rates were integrated with vegetation cover from a 1995 vegetation map, and with river data from a digital data set.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mapping malaria incidence over the 10-year period in the study villages indicated the existence of a spatial pattern: the southern and western areas of Belize had consistently higher rates of malaria than northern areas. Examination of the seasonal distribution of malaria incidence by month over 10 years indicated that a statistically significant difference existed among districts and among months (p < 0.05). Spatial analysis of malaria incidence rates and of vegetation in Belize showed villages with high malaria rates having more broadleaf hill forests, agricultural land, and wetland vegetation types (i.e. SWF-seasonally waterlogged fire-induced shrubland of the plains). Statistical and spatial analyses of malaria incidence and of river distributions in Belize determined the high 10 percentile malaria incidence villages in western and southern Belize to have more rivers within two kilometers of the center of a village and a statistically significant correlation between proximity to rivers and villages (Spearman's γ = -0.23; p < 0.05), especially in Stann Creek District (Spearman's γ = -0.82; p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Examination of the distribution of malaria during 10 years indicated transmission varied among geographic areas and among seasons. Additional studies are needed to examine, in more detail, the association between environmental and meteorological factors and malaria transmission. Furthermore, the role of <it>An. darlingi </it>in malaria transmission in Stann Creek needs further study since, of the three main vectors in Belize, <it>An. darlingi </it>has been found strongly associated with rivers.</p>
url http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/3/1/6
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