A-Geo-Informatics-Technique-for-the-Management-of-Meningitis-Epidemic-Distributions-in-Northern-Nigeria
Loading...
Date
2015-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Information Resources Management Journal
Abstract
This study aims at examining and mapping the spatiotemporal distribution of meningitis epidemic, in relation
to climate variability, using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques. Using the northern part of Nigeria as a case
study, data on meningitis epidemic were obtained from the archive of National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria
for the periods between 1998 and 2013. The data were updated with collection from Nigeria Demographic
and Health Survey (NDHS). Also, Nigerian Ministry of Health has compiled consistent statistics on meningitis
incidence for the periods. A meningitis distribution map was derived from an environmentally-driven form of
predicted probability of epidemic experience as it is in International Research Institute for Climate and Society
(IRI) Database. The results showed that Meningitis Epidemic is very high during months with low rainfall.
Thus, seasonality of rainfall and temperature are important determinants of Meningitis Epidemic incidence
in the Northern part of Nigeria. Therefore, it can be conrmed, as cited in some literatures, that the distribu-
tion of the epidemics has a strong association with the environment, especially climate variability. Although
meningitis surveillance systems in Nigeria have improved, they still fall short of the sensitivity required to
demonstrate incidence changes in vaccinated and non-vaccinated cohorts and complementary approaches
may be needed to demonstrate the impact of the vaccines. There is however, a need for a new technology and
innovation like an integrated GIS, and other environmental modeling system, to allow health practitioners
as well as policy makers, for better management, productivity and protability.
Description
International Journal of Information Resources Management,P.15-28
Keywords
Geo-Informatics, Meningitis Epidemic, Nigeria, meningitis surveillance systems in Nigeria, health practitioners