Malaria Hazard and Risk Analysis Using Geospatial Techniques in the Case of Selected Woredas of Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Malaria is an epidemic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted using the chew of infected female mosquitoes of the species Anopheles. The main objective of this research was to map malaria-risk hot-spot site for selected woredas of Jimma zone, Oromia region using GIS-based multicriteria analysis and RS technology applications. To achieve the objectives of the study, a retrospective comparative study design was employed using data from local health services. Over five years and climatic data (rainfall and temperature) collected, as well as environmental data, socioeconomic data were collected using household questionnaires. Sample study kebeles for questioners and r interview was conducted using purposive sampling technique. The malaria hazard assessed based on the environmental factors, computed using GIS-based multicriteria decision-evaluation technique (MCDE). 17.8%, 34.7%, 18.0%, 14.5% and 15.0% of the study area were exposed to very high, high, moderate, low and very low malaria hazard area, respectively. The final result output based on this approach is malaria-risk map. Then, it was produced from overlay analysis using (MCDE). The result revealed that, out of the total area (4136.9 km2), 29.8% very high, 30.7% high, 26.6% moderate, 10.2% low, and 2.7% of the areas are very low malaria-risk level, respectively. The result of the findings of large areas of the districts are in high-risk area of malaria. It will help to take successful measures for malaria control and eradication program and considered one of the most significant inputs used for any aspect of the planning, execution, monitoring and assessment of the woredas growth process as well as malaria eradication programmes.