TITLE:
Spatiotemporal Patterns and Social Risk Factors of Meningitis in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Auwal F. Abdussalam, Yasser Qaffas
KEYWORDS:
Health Geography, Nigeria, Meningitis, Spatial Autocorrelation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.3 No.8,
August
30,
2016
ABSTRACT: This study aimed at characterising the spatiotemporal pattern of meningitis in Nigeria, in order to detect vulnerable areas. Stratified sampling was deployed in research inquiry based on the following variables: geographic location; population density; poverty status; and adult literacy level in accordance to diseases incidence rate. Population-based ratios were then computed for each stratum for the identification of high risk areas. Global Moran’s Index spatial autocorrelation technique was additionally used to investigate the extent to which neighbouring values of incidence rate are correlated and to determine meningitis demographic risk factors. A significant spatial clustering of meningitis incidence rate has been found in northern Nigeria, with less or no clustering in the southern part of the country. A significant correlation of disease, with geographical location and poverty was perceived. The study commends that improving the socioeconomic status of the affected population may reduce the incidents of meningitis in the high risk area in Nigeria.