Spatial modelling of malaria prevalence associated with geographical factors in Houet province of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Malaria is a permanent threat to health in western Burkina Faso. Research has shown that geographical variables contribute to the spatial distribution in its transmission. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between malaria prevalence and potential explanatory geographical variables in the Houet province in Burkina Faso. Statistics on malaria prevalence registered by health centres in the Houet province in 2017 and potential geographical variables identified through a literature review were collected. An Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression was used to identify key geographical variables and to measure their association with malaria while the Getis Ord Gi* index was used to locate malaria hotspots. The results showed that average annual temperature, vegetation density, percentage of clay in the soil, total annual rainfall and distance to the nearest waterbody are the main variables associated with malaria prevalence. These variables account for two-thirds of the spatial variability of malaria prevalence observed in Houet province. The intensity and direction of the relationship between malaria prevalence and geographical factors vary according to the variable. Hence, only vegetation density is positively correlated with malaria prevalence. Average temperature, for soil clay content, annual rainfall and for distance to the nearest water body are negatively correlated with the disease prevalence. These results show that even in an endemic area, malaria prevalence has significant spatial variation. The results could contribute to the choice of intervention sites, as this choice is crucial for reducing the malaria burden.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10708-022-10692-7.

A review: application of remote sensing as a promising strategy for insect pests and diseases management

The present review provides a perspective angle on the historical and cutting-edge strategies of remote sensing techniques and its applications, especially for insect pest and plant disease management. Remote sensing depends on measuring, recording, and processing the electromagnetic radiation reflected and emitted from the ground target. Remote sensing applications depend on the spectral behavior of living organisms. Today, remote sensing is used as an effective tool for the detection, forecasting, and management of insect pests and plant diseases on different fruit orchards and crops. The main objectives of these applications were to collate data that help in decision-making for insect pest management and decreasing the environmental pollution of chemical pesticides. Airborne remote sensing has been a promising and useful tool for insect pest management and weed detection. Furthermore, remote sensing using satellite information proved to be a promising tool in forecasting and monitoring the distribution of locust species. It has also been used to help farmers in the early detection of mite infestation in cotton fields using multi-spectral systems, which depend on color changes in canopy semblance over time. Remote sensing can provide fast and accurate forecasting of targeted insect pests and subsequently minimizing pest damage and the management costs.

Screening of Plasmodium parasite in vectors and humans in three villages in Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Egypt has successfully eliminated malaria during 2010-2013, however, between May to mid-June 2014, an outbreak was reported in Al-Adwa village, Aswan Governorate indicating that malaria may be potentially re-emerging in the country. The aim of this work was to reevaluate malaria in Al-Adwa and surrounding villages, 1 year after malaria cases have been reported through entomological and human screening in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population. Four trips were conducted during the period from March 2015 to March 2016. Mosquitoes were collected, sorted and identified. Anopheles species were processed for detection of Plasmodium by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and engorged abdomens in blood-fed mosquitoes were analyzed for host preference using multiplex PCR. Thick and thin blood films were prepared from all apparently healthy children (n = 188) attending El-Sheikh Mostafa preparatory school. Results showed that Anopheles genus existed only in East Al-Adwa village. A total of 38 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected and identified as Anopheles multicolor 70% (A. multicolor), A. sergenti 20% and A. pharoensis 10%. The latter showed 100% human blood preference compared to A. sergenti (20%) and An. multicolor (0%). All female Anopheles were 100% negative for Plasmodium DNA, and all blood films showed no detectable parasite. The absence of Plasmodium in the area under study does not rule out the risk of future infections as the vector is still present together with the imported cases and carriers. Regular screening for the presence of Plasmodium in the area is absolutely paramount for early warning.

The application of geographic information systems (GIS) in identifying the priority areas for maternal care and services

Background

Improving maternal health is globally introduced as an important health priority. The purpose of this study is to identify the high priority areas which require more maternal health services in Kerman, Iran.

Methods

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, performed in 2015. The literatures were first explored in order to extract geographic indicators and sub indicators relevant to the maternal health. Data were collected by the use of a questionnaire designed on the basis of AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by three medical informatics experts and test-retest method, respectively. Data were analyzed by Expert Choice software in order to specify the weight and importance of each indicator. The information were then added to Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyze and create the related maps.

Results

Women’s access to hospitals plays an important role in identifying high priority areas which need maternal care and services. More than half of the mothers in Kerman have a moderate level of access to maternal care services. There is an association between facilities that are provided for pregnant women and the existence of healthcare centers. Moreover, there is a negative correlation between maternal death and the number of facilities provided for medical care and services for pregnant women.

Conclusions

The application of GIS provides us with the capability to identify high priority areas which need maternal care. According to current population policies in Iran and the probable increase in the fertility rate, it is wise to plan proper schedules to improve health care services for pregnant women in Kerman.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2423-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Infectious diseases in the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt

Infectious diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Epidemiologically, differences in the patterns of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance exist across diverse geographical regions. In this review on infectious diseases in the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt, the epidemiology of tuberculosis, malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections will be addressed. The challenges of the hepatitis C epidemic in Egypt and the epidemiology of this infection across the region will be reviewed. In recent years, we have seen dengue endemicity become established, with major outbreaks in parts of the region. Emerging data also indicate that, across the region, there is an increasing burden of antibiotic resistance, with endemicity in healthcare settings and dissemination into the community. New challenges include the emergence of the Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus in Saudi Arabia. The annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia serves as a model for the control of infectious disease in mass gatherings. As most of these countries constantly experience a uniquely dynamic population influx in the form of expatriate workers, tourists, or pilgrims, concerted regional and international collaboration to address these public health concerns in a region that lies at the crossroads for the global spread of infectious pathogens is imperative.

The changing limits and incidence of malaria in Africa: 1939-2009

Understanding the historical, temporal changes of malaria risk following control efforts in Africa provides a unique insight into what has been and might be archived towards a long-term ambition of elimination on the continent. Here, we use archived published and unpublished material combined with biological constraints on transmission accompanied by a narrative on malaria control to document the changing incidence of malaria in Africa since earliest reports pre-second World War. One result is a more informed mapped definition of the changing margins of transmission in 1939, 1959, 1979, 1999 and 2009.

Climate change and health research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Anthropologically induced climate change, caused by an increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, is an emerging threat to human health. Consequences of climate change may affect the prevalence of various diseases and environmental and social maladies that affect population health. In this article, we reviewed the literature on climate change and health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This region already faces numerous humanitarian crises, from conflicts to natural hazards and a high burden of disease. Climate change is likely to aggravate these emergencies, necessitating a strengthening of health systems and capacities in the region. However, the existing literature on climate change from the region is sparse and informational gaps stand in the way of regional preparedness and adaptation. Further research is needed to assess climatic changes and related health impacts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Such knowledge will allow countries to identify preparedness vulnerabilities, evaluate capacity to adapt to climate change, and develop adaptation strategies to allay the health impacts of climate change.