Biomedical Imaging Unit, School of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Artificial Intelligence & Biomedical Imaging Research Lab, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
BMC Public Health. 2024 Mar 4;24(1):697. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-18054-3.
Understanding the temporal and geographic distribution of disease incidences is crucial for effective public health planning and intervention strategies. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution of disease incidences in Ethiopia, focusing on six major diseases: Malaria, Meningitis, Cholera and Dysentery, over the period from 2010 to 2022, whereas Dengue Fever and Leishmaniasis from 2018 to 2023.
Using data from Ethiopian public health institute: public health emergency management (PHEM), and Ministry of Health, we examined the occurrence and spread of each disease across different regions of Ethiopia. Spatial mapping and time series analysis were employed to identify hotspots, trends, and seasonal variations in disease incidence.
The findings reveal distinct patterns for each disease, with varying cases and temporal dynamics. Monthly wise, Malaria exhibits a cyclical pattern with a peak during the rainy and humid season, while Dysentery, Meningitis and Cholera displays intermittent incidences. Dysentery cases show a consistent presence throughout the years, while Meningitis remains relatively low in frequency but poses a potential threat due to its severity. Dengue fever predominantly occurs in the eastern parts of Ethiopia. A significant surge in reported incident cases occurred during the years 2010 to 2013, primarily concentrated in the Amhara, Sidama, Oromia, Dire Dawa, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions.
This study helps to a better understanding of disease epidemiology in Ethiopia and can serve as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making in disease prevention and control. By recognizing the patterns and seasonal changes associated with each disease, health authorities can implement proactive measures to mitigate the impact of outbreaks and safeguard public health in the region.
了解疾病发病率的时空分布对于有效的公共卫生规划和干预策略至关重要。本研究对 2010 年至 2022 年期间埃塞俄比亚六种主要疾病（疟疾、脑膜炎、霍乱和痢疾）以及 2018 年至 2023 年期间登革热和利什曼病的时空分布进行了综合分析。
利用埃塞俄比亚公共卫生研究所（公共卫生应急管理局）和卫生部的数据，我们检查了每种疾病在埃塞俄比亚不同地区的发生和传播情况。采用空间映射和时间序列分析来确定疾病发病率的热点、趋势和季节性变化。
研究结果显示，每种疾病都有不同的模式，发病情况和时间动态也不同。从每月来看，疟疾呈周期性模式，在雨季和潮湿季节达到高峰，而痢疾、脑膜炎和霍乱则呈现间歇性发病。痢疾病例在多年来一直存在，而脑膜炎的发病率相对较低，但由于其严重性，仍然构成潜在威胁。登革热主要发生在埃塞俄比亚东部。2010 年至 2013 年期间，报告的发病病例显著增加，主要集中在阿姆哈拉、锡达玛、奥罗米亚、德雷达瓦和本尚古勒-古马兹地区。
本研究有助于更好地了解埃塞俄比亚的疾病流行病学，并为疾病预防和控制提供基于证据的决策基础。通过认识与每种疾病相关的模式和季节性变化，卫生当局可以采取积极措施减轻疫情的影响，保障该地区的公共卫生。
