High incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in urban districts of Ghana
Abstract
Background: Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) are a major global public health problem with a disproportionate burden of disease in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Although information on the spatial, demographic and... [ view full abstract ]
Background: Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) are a major global public health problem with a disproportionate burden of disease in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Although information on the spatial, demographic and geo-ecological determinants of VPD incidence is vital for effective control, very few studies in Africa have focused on these. This study investigated the spatial clustering of six VPDs (Measles, Meningitis, Mumps, Otitis media, Pneumonia and Tetanus) in a West African country. The study also compared the incidence of VPDs across settlement types, ecological zones and administrative regions.
Methods: This study was conducted in the West African country of Ghana. Cumulative incidence of VPDs for 2010 – 2014 were computed for each administrative district using Ghana census data and disease counts from the Centre for Health Information Management (CHIM) of Ghana Health Services (GHS). ArcGIS 10.1 and GeoDATM 1.6.7 were used to conduct Global spatial autocorrelation (Moran I) and Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA) analysis. Relationships between VPD incidence and settlement types, ecological zones and administrative regions were determined using Kruskal-Wallis H test.
Results: The analysis revealed unique clustering patterns for VPDs in the study area. Incidence of VPDs were found to be higher in urban districts compared to rural districts. Incidence of some VPDs varied across ecological zones and administrative regions.
Conclusion: This study presents evidence of spatial clustering of VPDs in Ghana. It also provides evidence of higher VPD incidence in urban districts of Ghana. Findings of this study provide valuable insights for public heath practitioners and Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) managers. Further investigations will be needed to better understand the reasons behind clustering patterns and higher incidence of VPDs in urban districts.
Authors
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Daniel Amoako-Sakyi
(University)
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Dorcas Obiri-yeboah
(University of Cape Coast)
Topic Areas
II. Environmental Health 2.1 Disease mapping 2.2 Assessment of the impact of environmental , III. Infectious and Communicable Diseases 3.1 Infectious diseases and their relations to c , V. Health indicators, spatial analysis and mapping: new tools, new methods 5.1 Spatial ana
Session
GH-ID-O-01 » Geography and Urban Health - ICDs (14:00 - Saturday, 2nd April, TBA)
Paper
ICUH2016-DAS131215.docx
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