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Bayesian geostatistical analysis and prediction of Rhodesian human African trypanosomiasis

Bayesian geostatistical analysis and prediction of Rhodesian human African trypanosomiasis
Bayesian geostatistical analysis and prediction of Rhodesian human African trypanosomiasis
Background

The persistent spread of Rhodesian human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in Uganda in recent years has increased concerns of a potential overlap with the Gambian form of the disease. Recent research has aimed to increase the evidence base for targeting control measures by focusing on the environmental and climatic factors that control the spatial distribution of the disease.
Objectives

One recent study used simple logistic regression methods to explore the relationship between prevalence of Rhodesian HAT and several social, environmental and climatic variables in two of the most recently affected districts of Uganda, and suggested the disease had spread into the study area due to the movement of infected, untreated livestock. Here we extend this study to account for spatial autocorrelation, incorporate uncertainty in input data and model parameters and undertake predictive mapping for risk of high HAT prevalence in future.
Materials and Methods

Using a spatial analysis in which a generalised linear geostatistical model is used in a Bayesian framework to account explicitly for spatial autocorrelation and incorporate uncertainty in input data and model parameters we are able to demonstrate a more rigorous analytical approach, potentially resulting in more accurate parameter and significance estimates and increased predictive accuracy, thereby allowing an assessment of the validity of the livestock movement hypothesis given more robust parameter estimation and appropriate assessment of covariate effects.
Results

Analysis strongly supports the theory that Rhodesian HAT was imported to the study area via the movement of untreated, infected livestock from endemic areas. The confounding effect of health care accessibility on the spatial distribution of Rhodesian HAT and the linkages between the disease's distribution and minimum land surface temperature have also been confirmed via the application of these methods.
Conclusions

Predictive mapping indicates an increased risk of high HAT prevalence in the future in areas surrounding livestock markets, demonstrating the importance of livestock trading for continuing disease spread. Adherence to government policy to treat livestock at the point of sale is essential to prevent the spread of sleeping sickness in Uganda.
1935-2727
e914
Wardrop, Nicola A.
8f3a8171-0727-4375-bc68-10e7d616e176
Atkinson, Peter M.
96e96579-56fe-424d-a21c-17b6eed13b0b
Gething, Peter W.
6afb7d8c-8816-4c03-ae73-55951c8b197f
Fevre, Eric M.
b40eea7c-d588-4038-ac8c-a922aff01074
Picozzi, Kim
fd3ebedb-971d-4931-b0f2-90197fe04cae
Kakembo, Abbas S.L.
b7deca04-0afd-4866-b5a2-74b4e408eb48
Welburn, Susan C.
e207a726-37ce-480e-b585-0f73b132ea91
Wardrop, Nicola A.
8f3a8171-0727-4375-bc68-10e7d616e176
Atkinson, Peter M.
96e96579-56fe-424d-a21c-17b6eed13b0b
Gething, Peter W.
6afb7d8c-8816-4c03-ae73-55951c8b197f
Fevre, Eric M.
b40eea7c-d588-4038-ac8c-a922aff01074
Picozzi, Kim
fd3ebedb-971d-4931-b0f2-90197fe04cae
Kakembo, Abbas S.L.
b7deca04-0afd-4866-b5a2-74b4e408eb48
Welburn, Susan C.
e207a726-37ce-480e-b585-0f73b132ea91

Wardrop, Nicola A., Atkinson, Peter M., Gething, Peter W., Fevre, Eric M., Picozzi, Kim, Kakembo, Abbas S.L. and Welburn, Susan C. (2010) Bayesian geostatistical analysis and prediction of Rhodesian human African trypanosomiasis. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 4 (12), e914. (doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000914). (PMID:21200429)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background

The persistent spread of Rhodesian human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in Uganda in recent years has increased concerns of a potential overlap with the Gambian form of the disease. Recent research has aimed to increase the evidence base for targeting control measures by focusing on the environmental and climatic factors that control the spatial distribution of the disease.
Objectives

One recent study used simple logistic regression methods to explore the relationship between prevalence of Rhodesian HAT and several social, environmental and climatic variables in two of the most recently affected districts of Uganda, and suggested the disease had spread into the study area due to the movement of infected, untreated livestock. Here we extend this study to account for spatial autocorrelation, incorporate uncertainty in input data and model parameters and undertake predictive mapping for risk of high HAT prevalence in future.
Materials and Methods

Using a spatial analysis in which a generalised linear geostatistical model is used in a Bayesian framework to account explicitly for spatial autocorrelation and incorporate uncertainty in input data and model parameters we are able to demonstrate a more rigorous analytical approach, potentially resulting in more accurate parameter and significance estimates and increased predictive accuracy, thereby allowing an assessment of the validity of the livestock movement hypothesis given more robust parameter estimation and appropriate assessment of covariate effects.
Results

Analysis strongly supports the theory that Rhodesian HAT was imported to the study area via the movement of untreated, infected livestock from endemic areas. The confounding effect of health care accessibility on the spatial distribution of Rhodesian HAT and the linkages between the disease's distribution and minimum land surface temperature have also been confirmed via the application of these methods.
Conclusions

Predictive mapping indicates an increased risk of high HAT prevalence in the future in areas surrounding livestock markets, demonstrating the importance of livestock trading for continuing disease spread. Adherence to government policy to treat livestock at the point of sale is essential to prevent the spread of sleeping sickness in Uganda.

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More information

Published date: December 2010
Organisations: Geography, Geography & Environment, PHEW – P (Population Health), PHEW – S (Spatial analysis and modelling), Population, Health & Wellbeing (PHeW)

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 178437
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/178437
ISSN: 1935-2727
PURE UUID: 2d755a13-e59f-422f-8880-cf3e9e1fda02
ORCID for Peter M. Atkinson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-5489-6880

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Date deposited: 25 Mar 2011 15:18
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:47

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Contributors

Author: Peter M. Atkinson ORCID iD
Author: Peter W. Gething
Author: Eric M. Fevre
Author: Kim Picozzi
Author: Abbas S.L. Kakembo
Author: Susan C. Welburn

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