Geographical Information Systems in TB control

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is becoming a useful tool in disease control by health planners. However little is known about its potential in tuberculosis (TB) control. In 2000 the National TB Programme (NTP) in Malawi assessed its usefulness. Routinely collected case-finding data from the 3 previous years (1997 to 1999) were entered into a system containing a digital map of Malawi. District performance was mapped. We concluded that GIS may be complementary in monitoring TB programme performance; and may be useful for target setting; advocacy; and research. World Health Organisation (WHO) now provides free GIS software (Health Mapper) and training. However; the use of GIS in TB control still needs further piloting and expansion without constraining the locally available resources or disrupting the present TB data management system

Approche geographique dans la lutte contre le paludisme dans la region des Hautes Terres Centrales a Madagascar

"Geographic Information System as a supplementary tool in malaria control in Madagascar"" : Following the severe malaria outbreak in the central highlands in Madagascarin 1986; a vector control program by use DDT pm 75 house-spraying has been implemented to operate in areas located at altitudes between 1000 and 1500 m. Early treatment with chloroquine has also been incorporated in the control program. To detect areas at particular high risk for malaria outbreak the Geographic Information System (GIS) has been applied and tested. The study has shown that the system can be used in malaria surveillance in order to identify areas in which an intense distribution of Anopheles funestus can be anticipated and; hence; targeted in spraying campaigns. The system may also be used to monitor changes in anti-malarial drug resistance; in addition; to control of other vector-born diseases."

Systeme d'Information Geographique et Sante :application a la ville d'Antananarivo

Geographic Information System and Health in Antananarivo : a new approach : The general health status of the population in the capital; Antananarivo; is determined by anumber of different socio-economical and environmental factors. A study was undertaken in 1998 by which the Geographic Information System (GIS) was implemented in order to describe characteristics in town areas (fokontany) suffering from a high disease burden. It was observed that there was a heterogeneous distribution of health care supporting facilities in comparison to population density in the different areas of the capitol. A risk-score system by use of an image-technique was elaborated. The most important problem encountered in the study was the reduced availability of standardized collected data. The results suggest that GIS constitutes a useful tool in assessment of urban health problems in order to identify fokontany in particular need of additional health care support