title: Bayesian spatial risk prediction of Schistosoma mansoni infection in western Côte d'Ivoire using a remotely-sensed digital elevation model.
abstract: An important epidemiologic feature of schistosomiasis is the focal distribution of the disease. Thus, the identification of high-risk communities is an essential first step for targeting interventions in an efficient and cost-effective manner. We used a remotely-sensed digital elevation model (DEM), derived hydrologic features (i.e., stream order, and catchment area), and fitted Bayesian geostatistical models to assess associations between environmental factors and infection with Schistosoma mansoni among more than 4,000 school children from the region of Man in western Côte d'Ivoire. At the unit of the school, we found significant correlations between the infection prevalence of S. mansoni and stream order of the nearest river, water catchment area, and altitude. In conclusion, the use of a freely available 90 m high-resolution DEM, geographic information system applications, and Bayesian spatial modeling facilitates risk prediction for S. mansoni, and is a powerful approach for risk profiling of other neglected tropical diseases that are pervasive in the developing world.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beck-Wörner
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raso
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vounatsou
authors.forename: Eliézer K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: N'Goran
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rigo
authors.forename: Eberhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parlow
authors.forename: Jürg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Utzinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000531:Altitude; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002648:Child; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D045483:Rivers; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000453:epidemiology*