Spatial Statistics Analysis of Japanese Encephalitis Occurrence and Identification of Disease Hot Spots - Case Studies in a JE Endemic District of North East India

要旨

An application of spatial statistics analysis has been demonstrated for identifying Japanese Encephalitis (JE) incidence hotspots to prioritise interventions in a JE endemic district of Assam. Spatial order and association of JE reporting villages in the study area have been analysed using spatial statistics analytical techniques. Data on historical morbidity pattern of JE collected at village level provided the required stratification base for delineating the JE incidence hot spots. Spatial statistics parameters such as mean centre, standard deviational ellipse and spatial autocorrelation have been calculated for JE reporting villages. Strong spatial autocorrelation (p<0.01) among the JE reporting villages have been observed in terms of morbidity pattern as indicated by Moran’s I index. General G statistics has been calculated to categorize JE prone villages and tested for statistical significance. Based on this G statistics, JE hot spots in the study district could be identified for taking timely intervention measures by the health authorities