scholarly journals Geographically weighted regression modelling of the spatial association between malaria cases and environmental factors in Cameroon.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlvin Anemey Tewara ◽  
Liu Yunxia ◽  
Weiqiang Lin ◽  
Binang Helen Barong ◽  
Prisca Ngetemalah Mbah-Fongkimeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Studies have illustrated the association of malaria cases with environmental factors in Cameroon but limited in addressing how these factors vary in space for timely public health interventions. Thus, we want to find the spatial variability between malaria hotspot cases and environmental predictors using Geographically weighted regression (GWR) spatial modelling technique. Methods: The global Ordinary least squares(OLS) in the modelling spatial relationships tool in ArcGIS 10.3. was used to select candidate explanatory environmental variables for a properly specified GWR model. The local GWR model used the global OLS candidate variables to examine, predict and explore the spatial variability between environmental factors and malaria hotspot cases generated from Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis. Results: The OLS candidate environmental variable coefficients were statistically significant ( adjusted R 2 = 22.3% and p < 0.01) for a properly specified GWR model. The GWR model identified a strong spatial association between malaria cases and rainfall, vegetation index, population density, and drought episodes in most hotspot areas and a weak correlation with aridity and proximity to water with an overall model performance of 0.243 (adjusted R 2 = 24.3%). Conclusion: The generated GWR maps suggest that for policymakers to eliminate malaria in Cameroon, there should be the creation of malaria outreach programs and further investigations in areas where the environmental variables showed strong spatial associations with malaria hotspot cases . Keywords: Geographically weighted regression, Ordinary least squares, malaria, spatial statistics, mapping, Geographical information systems.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlvin Anemey Tewara ◽  
Liu Yunxia ◽  
Weiqiang Ling ◽  
Binang Helen Barong ◽  
Prisca Ngetemalah Mbah-Fongkimeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Studies have illustrated the association of malaria cases with environmental factors in Cameroon but limited in addressing how these factors vary in space for timely public health interventions. Thus, we want to find the spatial variability between malaria hotspot cases and environmental predictors using Geographically weighted regression (GWR) spatial modelling technique.Methods: The global Ordinary least squares (OLS) in the modelling spatial relationships tool in ArcGIS 10.3. was used to select candidate explanatory environmental variables for a properly specified GWR model. The local GWR model used the global OLS candidate variables to examine, predict and explore the spatial variability between environmental factors and malaria hotspot cases generated from Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis. Results: The OLS candidate environmental variable coefficients were statistically significant (adjusted R2 = 22.3% and p < 0.01) for a properly specified GWR model. The GWR model identified a strong spatial association between malaria cases and rainfall, vegetation index, population density, and drought episodes in most hotspot areas and a weak correlation with aridity and proximity to water with an overall model performance of 0.243 (adjusted R2= 24.3%).Conclusion: The generated GWR maps suggest that for policymakers to eliminate malaria in Cameroon, there should be the creation of malaria outreach programs and further investigations in areas where the environmental variables showed strong spatial associations with malaria hotspot cases.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlvin Anemey Tewara ◽  
Liu Yunxia ◽  
Prisca Ngetemalah Mbah-Fongkimeh ◽  
Zheng Zhaolei ◽  
Helen Barong Binang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cameroon has witnessed a 131,000 increase in malaria cases, according to a recent report addressing the malaria burden and control strategies in endemic regions. Studies have illustrated the association between malaria cases and environmental factors in Cameroon but limited in addressing how these factors vary in space for timely interventions. Thus, we want to find the spatial variability between malaria hotspot cases and environmental predictors using Geographically weighted regression (GWR) spatial modelling technique. Methods The global Ordinary least squares(OLS) tool in the modelling spatial relationships tool in ArcGIS 10.3. was used to select candidate explanatory environmental variables for a properly specified GWR model. The local GWR model used the OLS candidate variables to examine, predict and explore the spatial variability between environmental factors and malaria hotspot cases generated from Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis. Spatial maps of mosquito bed net ownership and GWR outputs were also created for public health surveillance. Results The OLS candidate environmental variable coefficients were statistically significant for a properly specified GWR model (adjusted R2 = 22.3% and p < 0.01). The GWR model identified a strong association between malaria cases and rainfall, vegetation index, population density, and drought episodes in most hotspot areas and a weak correlation with aridity and proximity to water (adjusted R2= 24.3%). The mosquito bed nets analysis maps demonstrated an overall low coverage(<50%) of household ownership. Conclusion The generated GWR maps suggest that for policymakers to eliminate malaria in Cameroon by 2030, there should be the creation of outreach programs that will target malaria hotspots locations, intensify free insecticidal net distribution, allocate specific funding, establish vaccination campaigns and carry out further investigations in areas where the environmental variables showed strong spatial associations with malaria hotspot cases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlvin Anemey Tewara ◽  
Liu Yunxia ◽  
Weiqiang Lin ◽  
Binang Helen Barong ◽  
Prisca Ngetemalah Mbah-Fongkimeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Studies have illustrated the association of malaria cases with environmental factors in Cameroon but limited in addressing how these factors vary in space for timely public health interventions. Thus, we want to find the spatial variability between malaria hotspot cases and environmental predictors using Geographically weighted regression (GWR) spatial modelling technique.Methods: The global Ordinary least squares (OLS) in the modelling spatial relationships tool in ArcGIS 10.3. was used to select candidate explanatory environmental variables for a properly specified GWR model. The local GWR model used the global OLS candidate variables to examine, predict and explore the spatial variability between environmental factors and malaria hotspot cases generated from Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis. Results: The OLS candidate environmental variable coefficients were statistically significant (adjusted R2 = 22.3% and p < 0.01) for a properly specified GWR model. The GWR model identified a strong spatial association between malaria cases and rainfall, vegetation index, population density, and drought episodes in most hotspot areas and a weak correlation with aridity and proximity to water with an overall model performance of 0.243 (adjusted R2= 24.3%).Conclusion: The generated GWR maps suggest that for policymakers to eliminate malaria in Cameroon, there should be the creation of malaria outreach programs and further investigations in areas where the environmental variables showed strong spatial associations with malaria hotspot cases.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek K Kala ◽  
Chetan Tiwari ◽  
Armin R Mikler ◽  
Samuel F Atkinson

Background. The primary aim of the study reported here was to determine the effectiveness of utilizing local spatial variations in environmental data to uncover the statistical relationships between West Nile Virus (WNV) risk and environmental factors. Because least squares regression methods do not account for spatial autocorrelation and non-stationarity of the type of spatial data analyzed for studies that explore the relationship between WNV and environmental determinants, we hypothesized that a geographically weighted regression model would help us better understand how environmental factors are related to WNV risk patterns without the confounding effects of spatial non-stationarity. Methods. We examined commonly mapped environmental factors using both ordinary least squares regression (LSR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR). Both types of models were applied to examine the relationship between WNV-infected dead bird counts and various environmental factors for those locations. The goal was to determine which approach yielded a better predictive model. Results. LSR efforts lead to identifying three environmental variables that were statistically significantly related to WNV infected dead birds (adjusted R2=0.61): stream density, road density, and land surface temperature. GWR efforts increased the explanatory value of these three environmental variables with better spatial precision (adjusted R2 = 0.71). Conclusions. The spatial granularity resulting from the geographically weighted approach provides a better understanding of how environmental spatial heterogeneity is related to WNV risk as implied by WNV infected dead birds, which should allow improved planning of public health management strategies.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek K. Kala ◽  
Chetan Tiwari ◽  
Armin R. Mikler ◽  
Samuel F. Atkinson

BackgroundThe primary aim of the study reported here was to determine the effectiveness of utilizing local spatial variations in environmental data to uncover the statistical relationships between West Nile Virus (WNV) risk and environmental factors. Because least squares regression methods do not account for spatial autocorrelation and non-stationarity of the type of spatial data analyzed for studies that explore the relationship between WNV and environmental determinants, we hypothesized that a geographically weighted regression model would help us better understand how environmental factors are related to WNV risk patterns without the confounding effects of spatial non-stationarity.MethodsWe examined commonly mapped environmental factors using both ordinary least squares regression (LSR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR). Both types of models were applied to examine the relationship between WNV-infected dead bird counts and various environmental factors for those locations. The goal was to determine which approach yielded a better predictive model.ResultsLSR efforts lead to identifying three environmental variables that were statistically significantly related to WNV infected dead birds (adjustedR2 = 0.61): stream density, road density, and land surface temperature. GWR efforts increased the explanatory value of these three environmental variables with better spatial precision (adjustedR2 = 0.71).ConclusionsThe spatial granularity resulting from the geographically weighted approach provides a better understanding of how environmental spatial heterogeneity is related to WNV risk as implied by WNV infected dead birds, which should allow improved planning of public health management strategies.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek K Kala ◽  
Chetan Tiwari ◽  
Armin R Mikler ◽  
Samuel F Atkinson

Background. The primary aim of the study reported here was to determine the effectiveness of utilizing local spatial variations in environmental data to uncover the statistical relationships between West Nile Virus (WNV) risk and environmental factors. Because least squares regression methods do not account for spatial autocorrelation and non-stationarity of the type of spatial data analyzed for studies that explore the relationship between WNV and environmental determinants, we hypothesized that a geographically weighted regression model would help us better understand how environmental factors are related to WNV risk patterns without the confounding effects of spatial non-stationarity. Methods. We examined commonly mapped environmental factors using both ordinary least squares regression (LSR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR). Both types of models were applied to examine the relationship between WNV-infected dead bird counts and various environmental factors for those locations. The goal was to determine which approach yielded a better predictive model. Results. LSR efforts lead to identifying three environmental variables that were statistically significantly related to WNV infected dead birds (adjusted R2=0.61): stream density, road density, and land surface temperature. GWR efforts increased the explanatory value of these three environmental variables with better spatial precision (adjusted R2 = 0.71). Conclusions. The spatial granularity resulting from the geographically weighted approach provides a better understanding of how environmental spatial heterogeneity is related to WNV risk as implied by WNV infected dead birds, which should allow improved planning of public health management strategies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Jitendra Parajuli ◽  
Kingsley Haynes

<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This paper examines the spatial heterogeneity associated with broadband Internet and new firm formation in a number of U.S. states.</p><p><strong>Methodology/Approach:</strong> Both ordinary least-squares regression and Geographically Weighted Regression are used for the estimation purpose.</p><p><strong>Findings:</strong> The global coefficient estimates of ordinary least-squares regression account for the marginal change in a phenomenon, but such a global measure cannot reveal the locally-varying dynamics. Using Geographically Weighted Regression, it was found that at the aggregate and economic sector levels, the association between single-unit firm births and the provision of broadband Internet varies across counties in Florida and Ohio.</p><p><strong>Originality/Value of paper:</strong> There are numerous studies on broadband Internet in the U.S., but this is the first that explicitly examines broadband provision and new firm formation by taking into account spatial heterogeneity across countries.</p>


Author(s):  
A. Shah-Heydari pour ◽  
P. Pahlavani ◽  
B. Bigdeli

According to the industrialization of cities and the apparent increase in pollutants and greenhouse gases, the importance of forests as the natural lungs of the earth is felt more than ever to clean these pollutants. Annually, a large part of the forests is destroyed due to the lack of timely action during the fire. Knowledge about areas with a high-risk of fire and equipping these areas by constructing access routes and allocating the fire-fighting equipment can help to eliminate the destruction of the forest. In this research, the fire risk of region was forecasted and the risk map of that was provided using MODIS images by applying geographically weighted regression model with Gaussian kernel and ordinary least squares over the effective parameters in forest fire including distance from residential areas, distance from the river, distance from the road, height, slope, aspect, soil type, land use, average temperature, wind speed, and rainfall. After the evaluation, it was found that the geographically weighted regression model with Gaussian kernel forecasted 93.4% of the all fire points properly, however the ordinary least squares method could forecast properly only 66% of the fire points.


Author(s):  
Min-Kook Kim ◽  
David Graefe

Empirical studies based on spatial explorations have played a critical role in understanding dynamics of recreation resource impact and recovery at multiple scales. However, little research has been done to examine spatially varying relationships between resource conditions and associated geospatial variables, especially using a predictive modeling approach. The primary purpose of this study was to explore spatially varying relationships of recreation resource impacts by using a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model. Specifically, the study was designed to compare the GWR with an ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple linear regression model to better understand localized spatial variations with roadside campsite conditions in Adirondack Park, NY, USA. Geospatial variables contained in the OLS model explained approximately 22% of the variance in campsite conditions (adjusted R2 = 0.220, p < 0.001). Statistically significant predictors of the campsite condition at the global scale included site circumference, distance from water resource, distance from major road, distance from hosting forest road, and slope. Non-significant variables included site designation, distance from recreational trail, and elevation. The subsequent analysis using the GWR model resulted in adjusted R2 values ranging from 0.198 to 0.271 (mean = 0.221). Roadside campsites located in the northern region of the park exhibited relatively higher R2 values, and roadside campsites located in the southern region exhibited relatively lower R2 values. All of the statistically significant global variables showed spatially varying relationships with the campsite condition. Additionally, elevation and site designation factors in the GWR model, which were non-significant variables at the global scale, suggested localized spatial variations with the campsite condition. Overall, the GWR model provided a more robust examination of campsite condition by accounting for localized spatial variations and by improving the model performance. This paper provides a discussion of the methodological and resource management implications of these findings.


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