THE APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER RISK ASSESSMENT IN SAMUT SONGKHRAM PROVINCE, THAILAND

Abstract

Samut Songkhram is one of popular tourist destinations in Thailand; however, it is the very high risk province of the dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) outbreak. Therefore, it is essential and urgent to monitor the tourists within the areas from the DHF. This research aimed to study the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) in DHF risk assessment and to study factors influencing of this province. The researcher collected 11 factors data including population density, household number, elevation,temperature, humidity, rainfall, residential areas, drainage areas, agricultural areas and man-made and natural water resources from related organizations to analyze relationship with DHF patients in the province. With the Pearson’s Correlations statistic, there were four main factors relating the DHF incidence including population density, household number, residential areas and man-made water resources. According to the created GIS model of DHF risk assessment, it was discovered that 9% of the total areas were the very high risk areas, 23.89% were the high risk areas, 13.14% were the moderate risk areas, and 53.97% were the low risk areas. At a district level including Muang Samut Songkham, Bang Khonthi and Amphawa, it was found that Muang Samut Songkham was the only very high risk area covering 79.78km2. At a subdistrict level, MaeKhlong and Lat Yai were the very high risk areas. The factors influencing showed residential areas. Afterapplying the GIS in DHF risk assessment, it was demonstrated that the GIS was one of an effective tools for DHF surveillance.