CHEN, JIA-YUH
(2009)
Spatial Analysis of Dengue Incidence in Taiwan.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Dengue is an important mosquito-borne viral disease. In Taiwan, there are hundreds to thousands dengue cases each year, and dengue is considered one of the most important public health issues. The objective of this study was to use geographical information systems (GIS) methodology to map and analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of dengue in Taiwan during 2004 to 2007 and to elucidate the association of geographical and climatic risk factors with dengue incidence.Dengue annually occurs starting in summer, peaking in fall and goes down in winter. The spatial distribution: Spatial autocorrelation of dengue was measured using Moran's I at the global level and LISA at the local level. The global spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed a significantly positive spatial autocorrelation of dengue for 2004 to 2007, with Moran's I=0.171, p-value=0.03. The local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a significantly high dengue incidence around Tainan county and Kaohsiung county (p-value<0.05), which are located in the southern Taiwan. Based on the geographical features, dengue tended to occur in the southwestern cities/counties in Taiwan with plains and rivers spread. Temperature had a positive relationship with dengue incidence in summer and fall (rs=0.74 and p-value=0.002 in summer, rs=0.53 and p-value=0.003 in fall). Rainfall had a positive relationship with dengue incidence in summer (rs=0.61 and p-value=0.017). However, there was no significant correlation between temperature or rainfall and dengue incidence in winter.The public health importance of this study: Disease maps have been playing a key descriptive role in public health and epidemiology. By this study, areas of the current geographical distribution of the incidence of dengue in Taiwan were identified. Through spatial autocorrelation analyses, the identification of unusual concentration of dengue in Tainan county and Kaohsiung county has been defined. This could prompt health agencies and the government to take a critical look at these risk areas, and make appropriate health planning and resource allocation.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
29 September 2009 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
9 June 2009 |
| Approval Date: |
29 September 2009 |
| Submission Date: |
17 July 2009 |
| Access Restriction: |
5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Biostatistics |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
dengue; GIS; spatial autocorrelation analysis; Taiwan |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-07172009-162827/, etd-07172009-162827 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:51 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:46 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8419 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}