Experience in conducting an epidemiological analysis of dengue incidence in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam using geographic information systems

Abstract

Aim: To identify regional epidemiological features of dengue fever and substantiate approaches to conducting epidemiological surveillance for this infection taking into account the regional features of its distribution and risk factors affecting its formation.Materials and methods: Retrospective epidemiological analysis of dengue incidence in the provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 2017 to 2022. To conduct the epidemiological analysis of dengue incidence, a free version of the GIS Axioms (ГИС Аксиомы) program and the Google Earth application were used.Results: It was noted that cases of dengue fever were registered in all 63 provinces of the country, however, the dynamics of incidence levels had wide spatial and temporal ranges. Excepting Hanoi (189.6 0/0000), dengue incidence in the northern provinces are lower than those in the southern provinces. The highest average long-term incidence of dengue fever was observed in Da Nang (659.8 0/0000), Binh Duong (623.3 0/0000), Quang Binh (565.5 0/0000), Ba Ria-Vung Tau (554.6 0/0000) and Khanh Hoa (544.8 0/0000). The results of a comparative analysis of dengue incidence and the main factors influencing it in the adjacent, the incidences of dengue fever of which are significantly different from each other, are shown. The application of geoinformation systems for epidemiological analysis has been demonstrated. It has been established that the distribution of the population of Vietnam differs greatly between the administrative regions of the country, and the use of population density for epidemiological analysis and forecasting of the epidemiological situation of infectious diseases, including dengue fever, can lead to incorrect results.Conclusion: The epidemiological situation of dengue fever in Vietnam is characterized by high incidence rates, their wide ranges of spatial and temporal variability, and geographical heterogeneity. The use of GIS technologies is one of the promising approaches for epidemiological analysis and monitoring of dengue fever, as well as other infectious diseases.