Abstract

The introduction, spread, and aggravation of tropical diseases are closely linked to environmental changes associated with water resources development in sub-Saharan Africa. Extensive periods of drought during the past 20 years and natural environmental changes have created unparalleled risks to communities. The 700 km long Senegal River Basin, with various water resource development projects and the Ngamiland region of Botswana are associated with high prevalence of endemic schistosomiasis and epidemics of malaria. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer techniques for improving the efficiency with which data of epidemiologic importance can be processed. This is particularly true for the evaluation of the impact of environmental measures on diseases, thereby stimulating more efficient use of these measures. The project, to be undertaken in Botswana and Senegal, will initially focus on the application of GIS to the important endemic diseases in the region. Specifically, the project will determine the efficiency and reliability of GIS to correlate environmental variables with the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of endemic diseases as a basis for environmental control measures; use GIS to evaluate the distribution and frequency of endemic diseases; and use GIS to define the environmental and population variables that influence utilization of health services. The ultimate objective is to integrate existing and emerging endemic disease data into a national GIS within the overall health care delivery framework of Botswana and Senegal.

Post-Project Summary

A complete postproject abstract could not be written due to insufficient documentation. Available information indicates that the project objectives were not met.

Recipient Institution(s)