Saxena Rekha, Nagpal B N, Srivastava Aruna, Gupta S K, Dash A P
National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India.
Indian J Med Res. 2009 Aug;130(2):125-32.
Geographical information System (GIS) has emerged as the core of the spatial technology which integrates wide range of dataset available from different sources including Remote Sensing (RS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). Literature published during the decade (1998-2007) has been compiled and grouped into six categories according to the usage of the technology in malaria epidemiology. Different GIS modules like spatial data sources, mapping and geo-processing tools, distance calculation, digital elevation model (DEM), buffer zone and geo-statistical analysis have been investigated in detail, illustrated with examples as per the derived results. These GIS tools have contributed immensely in understanding the epidemiological processes of malaria and examples drawn have shown that GIS is now widely used for research and decision making in malaria control. Statistical data analysis currently is the most consistent and established set of tools to analyze spatial datasets. The desired future development of GIS is in line with the utilization of geo-statistical tools which combined with high quality data has capability to provide new insight into malaria epidemiology and the complexity of its transmission potential in endemic areas.
地理信息系统（GIS）已成为空间技术的核心，它整合了来自不同来源（包括遥感（RS）和全球定位系统（GPS））的广泛数据集。对1998年至2007年这十年间发表的文献进行了汇编，并根据该技术在疟疾流行病学中的应用分为六类。对不同的GIS模块，如空间数据源、制图和地理处理工具、距离计算、数字高程模型（DEM）、缓冲区和地理统计分析进行了详细研究，并根据所得结果举例说明。这些GIS工具在理解疟疾的流行病学过程方面做出了巨大贡献，所举例子表明，GIS现在广泛用于疟疾控制的研究和决策。统计数据分析目前是分析空间数据集最一致且成熟的一套工具。GIS未来理想的发展方向是与地理统计工具的应用相结合，地理统计工具与高质量数据相结合，有能力为疟疾流行病学及其在流行地区传播潜力的复杂性提供新的见解。
