Abstract

GIS Determination of Malaria Hot Spots in Qeshm Island,Iran

Malaria disease is considered a healthy challenge in the south of Iran. Anopheles stephensi is more responsible for the transmission of Plasmodium vivax to indigenous people in the endemic areas of Iran. Since GIS is beneficial tool in epidemiological study of tropical infections, all data were recorded into this software and spatial mapping of our site was provided. In total, 173 cases were reported during 2008-2017 from Qeshm Island, Hormozgan province, south of Iran. Data was analyzed by ArcGIS v 10.5 to depict the risky and hot spots related to our site. Winpepi v 3.18 was applied to evaluate the short seasonal peaks. Larak Island is located at the east of Qeshm Island where was identified as a cold spot of malaria transmission. Four districts including central part (Qeshm city, Dargahan & laft), Ramkan, Suza, and Hengam determined as the hot spots of malaria infection. Seasonal patterns appeared the significant short peak of 2 months (September- October) and August-October (P<0.005). In addition, 5 months (June to October) were more involved with malaria disease. This study presented that the foreign laborers as imported malaria cases were more involved groups in Qeshm Island. In order to accelerate the elimination phase of malaria, GIS mapping can be used for monitoring hot spots authentically.


Author(s): Elham Zandian,Seyed Mohsen MohebbiNodez, Mousa Khosravani,Azam Rafatpanah* and Robabeh Latifi

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