Epidemiology Study of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Cases in South Palu Sub District, Palu by Using Spatial Approach of Geographic Information System
ABSTRACT
Oslan Daud, Hartono, Tri Baskoro Tunggul Satoto
Background: At the moment, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a public health problem which arise social and economic impacts. By the time, number of DHF cases tends to increase and the endemic area is wider. In 2004, number of DHF patients at Palu was 210 patients and 10 of them were died. The number of DHF patients increased to 627 patients (12 of them were died) in 2005 and 334 patients (5 of them were died) in 2006. In 2007, the number of DHF cases was enormous. Since January until April 2007, the number had reached number of 334 patients and 2 of them were died.
Objective: This study aimed to find out the epidemiology distribution of DHF cases at South Palu Sub district during the year of 2004 – 2006 in the basis of human, place and time characteristics; also to map its spatial distribution by using geographic information system (GIS) approach.
Methods: This was an analytical descriptive survey with cross sectional approach. This method was used to obtain the description of DHF spatial distribution in South Palu Sub District during 2004 – 2006. The coordinate points of patients’ addresses were taken by using Global Positioning System (GPS). The collected data were analyzed and presented on tables, graphics, and map.
Results: The epidemiology distribution results showed that most of DHF patients were men (52.48%); patients’ age were above 15 years old (46.60%); the highest endemic area was South Lolu village (15.41%), and the highest case numbers happened during May until September. There were 9 clusters of DHF cases in North Taturu and Tanamodindi villages. This study also reported that the DHF cases in South Palu Sub District related to density (p=0.004), air temperature (25.3ºC – 28.1ºC) and air humidity (71.3% - 79.7%). and Wiggler Free Rate (WFR) (p=0.462).
Conclusion: This study concluded that men had more activities than women; most of DHF patients were student aged; South Lolu village had high density and mobilization; and the increasing of DHF cases happened in rainy season during April – October. There were clustering of DHF cases in North Tatura and Tanamodindi village. Density and DHF had a significant relationship (p = 0.004). Air temperature and humidity supported the growth of DHF infector which caused the increasing of DHF patients year by year. Last, the WFR did not relate to DHF cases significantly.
Keywords: DHF cases, epidemiology characteristics, spatial distribution, GIS, South Palu.