Spatial Analysis Of Malaria Incidence And Interventions In The Brong Ahafo Region

ABSTRACT

The primary objective of this study was to examine the spatial distribution of malaria incidence in the Brong Ahafo Region by using a GIS as an analytical tool. The research employed the cluster based sampling method to solicit the views of 245 households using a questionnaire. Malaria incidence indicated a variation from one household to another and from one administration district to another. Malaria clusters were determined using Getis and Ord statistic. This cluster analysis indicated that malaria distribution, characterized by areas with high malaria incidence, called hotspot areas, with a moderate malaria incidence known as not significant and areas of low malaria known as cold spots. Malaria causing factors in the study area were also determined using Ordinary Least Square Regression. Graphs were also used to illustrate the effectiveness of implementing interventions in the Brong Ahafo Region. Malaria control interventions that were used in the study area consisted LLINs, IRS, Antimalarial drugs and Herbal medicine. The relationship between malaria incidence and interventions were assessed using Geographically Weighted Regression. The Geographically Weighted Regression proved that high malaria districts have many interventions programmes. The study indicated that 76% of the respondents revealed that Brong Ahafo Region is an endemic area due to its internal geography which aids in the development of the mosquito. Malaria Hotspot maps from 2012-2016 were created in this study using the Getis and ord Gi*statistics. The analysis of high/low clustering for different years indicated that the concentration of clustering in 2013 with z-score of 12.0161 which was the highest. The study showed that elevation has a negative relationship with malaria incidence hence the null hypothesis was rejected. The research indicated that 79.2% of the respondent understood that malaria distribution can be controlled through effective interventions like LLINS, IRS, and xiii antimalarial and herb medicine while 20.8% assumed that clearing of the vegetation and drainage of gutters. Malaria interventions such as LLINS, IRS, antimalarial and herbal medicine found in many districts hence the null hypothesis was rejected. The study revealed that LLINS was the only intervention that recorded a positive coefficient with a t-statistic less 0.05. Based on the effectiveness of interventions, the study showed that LLINs were ranked as very strong, the IRS was ranked not effective, antimalarial was ranked with regard to the drugs that were ACTs (76%), Quinine (20%) and Amodiaquine (4%) as well as herbal medicine was ranked effective in controlling malaria. The spatial clustering and risk maps have been used to show malaria incidence, distribution and demonstrated as an efficient tool for quick identification hot and cold spots of malaria incidence. This can provide helpful insight into the underlying means driving incidence and major factors influencing malaria in Brong Ahafo Region.

Key words: GIS, Malaria, Interventions, Brong Ahafo Region