Geographical informations system applied to the instestinal parasitic diseases in Blida (Algeria)

Abstract

Parasitic infectious diseases are a public health problem but there is a lack on the identification of potential cluster to focalize on the prevention actions. OBJECTIVES: To establish a spatial distribution of high risk areas to waterborne diseases transmission and of intestinal parasitic pathogens. METHODS: Map info version 5 was used to put together spatial distribution of some geological factors, population density, drinking water supply and slums.With the Ministry and Blida health departmental authorizations, a randomization on rural” and urban” towns, regarding the number of inhabitants (100 000 habitants), on the schools per level (primary and middle schools), and on class level (( 9 years old in 4 th class level in primary, and 15 years old in 3 th class level middle schools, and the parents authorization, each child gave a stool sample and filled a questionnary.Stool samples were transported to the laboratory where, a¦er the collection in MIF color, they were studied by optic microscopy. The survey was lead in 4 communes” Ouled El Alleg, BeniTamou, Me¦ah, Djebabra. RESULTS: 208 stools samples were collected. twoo cases of helminthiasis ( E.vermicularis) were found and both were at Ouled El Alleug. 40% of the intestinal protozoa strains found are pathogens (62 % E.histytica and 38 % Giardia intestinalis) and they infect 27 % of the children. Almost of them (35%) are in primary school (p<0,01) and in rural areas regarding the spatial “profiles” (61%), and inhabitant number (49%). CONCLUSION: This study stress on the importance of GIS Acknowledgments to all ATRSS through the National research program, all the colleagues of the prevention department of health of Blida, of the medical school network, and the department of education and environmental for the collaboration.