Mapping Unhealthy Behavior Among Economically Active Men Using GIS in Suburban and Rural Areas of Sri Lanka.
The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and certain behavioral risk factors related to NCDs (unhealthy behaviors) are becoming more common. This survey aims to map out such common unhealthy behaviors among all men 35 to 50 years old in a Medical Officer of Health area in the Western Province of Sri Lanka using a geographical information system (GIS) and an interviewer administered questionnaire by visiting all households in the study area. Data were analyzed with ARC GIS and SPSS software. Geographical areas where men with unhealthy behaviors cluster together (clusters) were identified and visually and statistically related to locations of schools, places of religious worship, and factories in the area. It was revealed that clusters of unhealthy behaviors are mostly seen in areas with less population density. Smoking and alcohol are clustering in estate areas occupied by Tamils. This way GIS mapping could be used to identify and reduce the burden of NCDs by visualizing clusters and how certain locations affect their spread.
Health Education Bureau, Colombo, Sri Lanka padmakasilva@gmail.com.
J Padmaka
JP
Silva
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D062305:Geographic Mapping; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011156:Population Density; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D013383:Suburban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
behavioral risk factors; geographical information system; noncommunicable diseases; sociobehavioral mapping; unhealthy behaviors