Read more
The study focuses on the geospatial analysis of Buruli Ulcer (BU) in the study area. BU is one of the 17 emerging neglected tropical diseases prioritized by the WHO. Three LGAs and fifteen communities were selected based on purposive sampling in which 400 copies of questionnaire were randomly distributed. Field survey, topographic map of the study area, administrative map of the study area, Global Position System (GPS) and Google earth satellite images were the materials and methods used for the study. The analysis was done using ArcGIS 10.1 and Excel software packages. The results show a variation in the temporal distribution of the disease. The trend analysis revealed that the months of February and May recorded the highest number of cases of BU (17.2%) and (15.6%) respectively while the months of September and October recorded no case of the disease. The study also discovered five significant hotspots of BU at 95% confidence level using the Getis-Ord G tool. On the factors influencing BU occurrence in the study area, cultural practices, farming/fishing on swampy lands, swimming in rivers and living close to stagnant bodies of water were identified as risk factors of the disease
About the author
The author is one of the pioneer authors of Buruli Ulcer studies in Nigeria. He holds a Bachelors degree in Geography and a second degree in GIS. And has served in different Public Health roles in Nigeria. And currently, he is the Data Manager for the Case Management of Neglected Tropical Diseases Initiative in Nigeria funded by ALM.
