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USE
OF REMOTE SENSING AND GIS FOR MONITORING THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
ASSOCIATED WITH VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE (MALARIA)
Devi,
Prashanthi.M., B.Manickiam* and S.Balasubramanian “Use Of
Remote Sensing And Gis For Monitoring The Environmental Factors
Associated With Vector-Borne Disease (Malaria)” in Martin
J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings
of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health,
Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography,
University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York
University. Pages 127 – 137.
Abstract:
An epidemiological
and ecological study has been conducted to determine sustenance
of malarial incidences in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, India
(latitude of 77º 39’ - 78º 50’ 60”
E and longitude of 11º 0’ 36” - 11º 58’
48” N). The primary environmental factors like temperature,
rainfall and humidity in association with forest cover and water
bodies are enumerated to predict malaria incidences. The primary
data were collected from The Directorate of Health under the Government
of Tamil Nadu Health Ministry. The Survey of India toposheets
at 1:250,000 scale and IRS IC LISSIII imagery pictured on February
26th, 1999 were used for digitization of forest cover and water
bodies. GIS is used to overlay and analyse parameters contributing
to malaria transmission by creating layers on epidemiological,
environmental and ecological data. Monthly scale analysis was
done using environmental variables and the mosquito incidences
to find the optimum temperature, humidity and rainfall patterns
contributing to maximum disease incidences.
Multiple Linear Regression
method (backward elimination method) was used to analyse the environmental
factors related to malarial incidences. The fitted model values
are used on geocoded data on GIS. A risk map was prepared. The
results showed that temperature, water body and the interaction
of rainfall and forest cover played an important role in the spread
of the disease. It is observed that even if the environmental
conditions do not favour the spread of the disease, other factors
such as sociological and health conditions may also play an important
role. Precautionary methods and lack of awareness among the public
may be another important factor. Epidemic control strategies must
be effectively implemented in these areas.
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