DELIMINATION OF LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS TRANSMISSION RISK AREAS: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND GEO-ENVIROMENTAL RISK MODEL ON NORTHEN REGION OF BANGLADESH WITH THE APPLICATION OF GIS

Abstract

Data integration entails bringing together disparate data sets, which are available on spatial bases, in order that meaningful analyses may be undertaken on them. It mainly involves overlaying different datasets (called layers) and then performing relational and arithmetical operations on them. This might entail, for example, adding, subtracting or multiplying the ‘data layers’. The essential capability of GIS is that it can perform in linking a variety of data through building spatial models. International Task Force for Disease Eradication, a task force of world health organization has identified the filariasis is one of the six diseases considered eradicable or potentially eradicable. Filariasis can be defined in a geographical area, as there is local variation in the socio-economic and environmental conditions. If a government has the necessary information on the clustering of filariasis in an area, then a risk zone can be prepared regarding the specific spread of the disease. Delimitation of filariasis is an important requirement to have information on spatial spread and status of the risk of filarial infection, which would facilitate appropriate planning for control/elimination of the disease. This study attempts to define a socio-economic and geo-environmental risk model (SEGERM) for determining the areas of potential transmission of filariasis.

Keywords

• geo-environmental
• risk model
• filariasis
• delimitation
• gis
• risk zones