Mapping Tropical Diseases in Uganda Using GPS
Author Information
Author(s): Stothard J. Russell, Sousa-Figueiredo Jose C., Betson Martha, Seto Edmund Y.W., Kabatereine Narcis B.
Primary Institution: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
Can low-cost GPS data loggers effectively map the spatial distribution of tropical parasitic diseases in households?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that GPS data loggers can rapidly and effectively identify the spatial distribution of tropical diseases in a Ugandan village.
Supporting Evidence
- General prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis, malaria, and hookworm was recorded in mothers and children.
- Different spatial patterns of disease were identified, reflecting variations in parasite biology and human behavior.
- GPS data loggers provided accurate household locations for mapping disease prevalence.
Takeaway
Researchers used GPS devices to find out where people with tropical diseases live in a village, helping to understand how these diseases spread.
Methodology
The study involved mothers and their preschool children in Bukoba village, Uganda, using GPS data loggers to map households and assess disease prevalence.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the reliance on self-reported data and the limited sample size.
Limitations
The study faced challenges with GPS device malfunctions and the accuracy of household location data.
Participant Demographics
126 mothers (mean age 29 years) and 247 preschool children (mean age 3 years, 51% male) from Bukoba village.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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