GIS-Based Spatial Modeling for Identifying Cholera and Typhoid Hotspots in Resource-Constrained Environments

• Author(s): Stephanie Onyekachi Oparah; Funmi Eko Ezeh
• Paper ID: 1711299
• Page: 896-931
• Published Date: 31-08-2019
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 3 Issue 2 August-2019

Abstract

Waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever continue to pose significant public health challenges in resource-constrained environments, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia where inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure intersects with rapid urbanization and climate variability. This study presents a comprehensive framework for utilizing Geographic Information Systems and spatial modeling techniques to identify disease hotspots and inform targeted public health interventions in settings characterized by limited technical capacity and data availability. The research synthesizes evidence from multiple endemic regions to demonstrate how geospatial technologies can transform disease surveillance, risk assessment, and resource allocation strategies when conventional epidemiological approaches prove insufficient. Through systematic analysis of environmental determinants, socioeconomic factors, and disease transmission dynamics, this investigation reveals critical spatial patterns that enable public health authorities to prioritize interventions in areas of highest vulnerability. The methodology integrates remote sensing data, demographic health surveys, and participatory geographic information collection to overcome common data constraints encountered in low-resource settings. Findings indicate that spatial clustering of cholera and typhoid cases correlates strongly with proximity to contaminated water sources, inadequate sanitation facilities, population density, and seasonal flooding patterns, with significant variations observed across different geographic and socioeconomic contexts. The study advances practical implementation strategies including mobile data collection protocols, community-based mapping initiatives, and low-cost satellite imagery analysis that can be deployed effectively even where sophisticated technical infrastructure remains absent. Results demonstrate measurable improvements in outbreak response times, vaccination campaign targeting, and water infrastructure planning when GIS-based approaches replace traditional administrative boundary-focused interventions. This research contributes to the growing evidence base supporting geospatial health informatics as an essential tool for achieving sustainable development goals related to clean water, sanitation, and disease prevention in the world's most vulnerable populations.

Keywords

Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Epidemiology, Cholera Hotspots, Typhoid Fever, Waterborne Diseases, Disease Mapping, Public Health Surveillance, Resource-Constrained Settings, Environmental Health, Spatial Analysis

Citations

IRE Journals:
Stephanie Onyekachi Oparah, Funmi Eko Ezeh "GIS-Based Spatial Modeling for Identifying Cholera and Typhoid Hotspots in Resource-Constrained Environments" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 3 Issue 2 2019 Page 896-931

IEEE:
Stephanie Onyekachi Oparah, Funmi Eko Ezeh "GIS-Based Spatial Modeling for Identifying Cholera and Typhoid Hotspots in Resource-Constrained Environments" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 3(2)