Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Background and Objectives: Public health issues and the spread of disease correlate with geography and always have locational aspects.. Therfore, in this study the spatial analysis of malaria disease reports between 2004-2014 in Bam were investigated using geographic information system (GIS).

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, information on positive cases of malaria were obtained from the health center  in theBam city for 11 years from 2004 to 2014 Then Based on the postal address of each case, the geographical coordinates of each patient were determined for spatial analysis of malaria. For spatial analysis, Moran’s index autocorrelation and kriging interpolation method were used in GIS software.

Results: During the 11-year period, 112 cases of malaria disease occurred in Bam, among which 38 cases were women (33.9%) and 74 cases were men (66.1%). From a total of 112 patients, 102 (91.08%) had vivax malaria and 10 patients (8.92%) were infected with Plasmodium falciparum. The spatial distribution of disease was random (Z-score = -0.04) in the study area and most outbreaks risk of disease was in the peripheral areas of the city.

Conclusions: This study indicated that the prevalence of malaria in the Bam countryside is more than the central areas. Spatial Analysis can be a useful tool in malaria prevention and control program by showing high risk areas for malaria and it can help to assess environmental factors.

Key words: Malaria, Spatial analysis, Geographic information system

Funding: This study was funded by the Research Deputy of Bam University of Medical Sciences.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Bam University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

How to cite this article: Toolabi A, Kermanizadeh AR, Nikonahad A, Miri M, Khabiri F. Spatial Analysis of Malaria Disease Reports Using Geographic Information System (GIS) in Bam, 2004-2014. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2016; 15(3): 331-42. [Farsi]