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Geospatial and Path Analysis for Enhancing Malaria Control and Primary Healthcare Delivery in Low-Income Nations: A Case Study of Uganda

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This research investigated the use of Geospatial and Path Analysis for Enhancing Malaria Control and Primary Healthcare Delivery in Low-Income Nations. Utilizing methods such as generalized linear regression (GLR), ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I), the study identified key factors influencing malaria incidence rates: mean temperature, antimalarial treatment, mosquito net access, total population, and total health centers. The GLR and OLS analyses showed a moderate model fit (Adjusted R² = 0.443), highlighting the importance of these predictors. Path analysis was used to determine both the direct and indirect effects of these variables on malaria incidence rates, leading to the creation of a new model. In this model, mean temperature showed a significant direct effect (β = 0.658) and a small indirect effect (β = 0.002779), resulting in a total effect of 0.660779. Antimalarial treatment had a strong negative direct effect (β = -0.189) with a negligible indirect effect, yielding a total effect of -0.18947. Mosquito net access demonstrated a notable direct effect (β = 0.074) and a substantial indirect effect (β = 2.5214437), culminating in a total effect of 2.59544. Total population exhibited a small direct effect (β = -0.180) and a minimal indirect effect (β = -0.0001927), leading to a total effect of -0.18019. Finally, the number of health centers showed no direct effect but a significant indirect effect (β = 1.0956237), resulting in a total effect of 1.0956237. Spatial autocorrelation revealed significant clustering of malaria rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Bivariate color maps underscored the critical role of health centers in improving healthcare access and controlling malaria, suggesting that expanding health center networks in underserved regions could enhance healthcare outcomes

Source: American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease

DOI: 10.12691/ajeid-12-3-3

Authors: Maria Assumpta Komugabe, Richard Caballero, Itamar Shabtai, Zhaoxia Yi, Zachary Dodds

Institutions: Claremont Graduate University, University of Kisubi, Harvey Mudd College

Language: English

Topic: Malaria Research and Control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Ministry of Health, Uganda