MALAREO: a user-driven project
The aim of this study is to assess the capacity gaps and requirements of Earth observation (EO) and related technologies for malaria vector control and management in the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative regions of South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. In order to achieve the core objective o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PAGEPress Publications
2015-11-01
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| Series: | Geospatial Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.geospatialhealth.net/index.php/gh/article/view/329 |
| _version_ | 1818949227637637120 |
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| author | Michael T. Gebreslasie Ides Bauwens |
| author_facet | Michael T. Gebreslasie Ides Bauwens |
| author_sort | Michael T. Gebreslasie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this study is to assess the capacity gaps and requirements of Earth observation (EO) and related technologies for malaria vector control and management in the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative regions of South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. In order to achieve the core objective of this study, available EO data (including main characteristics and resources required to utilize them) and their potential applications for malaria epidemiology are reviewed. In addition, a survey was conducted to assess the availability of human and facility resources to operate EO and related technologies for control and management of the malaria control programs in these countries resulting in an analysis of capacity gaps, priorities and requirements. Earth observation in malaria vector control and management has two different applications: i) collection of relevant remotely sensed data for epidemiological use; and ii) direct support of ongoing malaria vector control activities. All malaria control programs and institutions recognize the significance of EO products to detect mosquito vector habitats, to monitor environmental parameters affecting mosquito vector populations as well as house mapping and distribution of information supporting residual spray planning and monitoring. It was found that only the malaria research unit (MRU) of the medical research council (MRC) in South Africa and the national malaria control program (MCP) in Swaziland currently have a fully functional geographic information systems (GIS), whereas the other surveyed MCPs in South Africa and Mozambique currently do not have this in place. Earth observation skills only exist in MRU of MRC, while spatial epidemiology is scarce in all institutions, which was identified as major gap. The survey has also confirmed that EO and GIS technologies have enormous potential as sources of spatial data and as analytical frameworks for malaria vector control. It is therefore evident that planning and management require capacity building with respect to GIS, EO and spatial epidemiology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T08:59:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9ece82d251f4764a9c88a1c3df4af56 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1827-1987 1970-7096 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T08:59:21Z |
| publishDate | 2015-11-01 |
| publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geospatial Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9ece82d251f4764a9c88a1c3df4af562022-12-21T19:45:54ZengPAGEPress PublicationsGeospatial Health1827-19871970-70962015-11-0110210.4081/gh.2015.329323MALAREO: a user-driven projectMichael T. Gebreslasie0Ides Bauwens1School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanSchool of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanThe aim of this study is to assess the capacity gaps and requirements of Earth observation (EO) and related technologies for malaria vector control and management in the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative regions of South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. In order to achieve the core objective of this study, available EO data (including main characteristics and resources required to utilize them) and their potential applications for malaria epidemiology are reviewed. In addition, a survey was conducted to assess the availability of human and facility resources to operate EO and related technologies for control and management of the malaria control programs in these countries resulting in an analysis of capacity gaps, priorities and requirements. Earth observation in malaria vector control and management has two different applications: i) collection of relevant remotely sensed data for epidemiological use; and ii) direct support of ongoing malaria vector control activities. All malaria control programs and institutions recognize the significance of EO products to detect mosquito vector habitats, to monitor environmental parameters affecting mosquito vector populations as well as house mapping and distribution of information supporting residual spray planning and monitoring. It was found that only the malaria research unit (MRU) of the medical research council (MRC) in South Africa and the national malaria control program (MCP) in Swaziland currently have a fully functional geographic information systems (GIS), whereas the other surveyed MCPs in South Africa and Mozambique currently do not have this in place. Earth observation skills only exist in MRU of MRC, while spatial epidemiology is scarce in all institutions, which was identified as major gap. The survey has also confirmed that EO and GIS technologies have enormous potential as sources of spatial data and as analytical frameworks for malaria vector control. It is therefore evident that planning and management require capacity building with respect to GIS, EO and spatial epidemiology.http://www.geospatialhealth.net/index.php/gh/article/view/329MALAREOMalariaEarth observationLubombo Spatial Development InitiativeSouthern Africa |
| spellingShingle | Michael T. Gebreslasie Ides Bauwens MALAREO: a user-driven project Geospatial Health MALAREO Malaria Earth observation Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative Southern Africa |
| title | MALAREO: a user-driven project |
| title_full | MALAREO: a user-driven project |
| title_fullStr | MALAREO: a user-driven project |
| title_full_unstemmed | MALAREO: a user-driven project |
| title_short | MALAREO: a user-driven project |
| title_sort | malareo a user driven project |
| topic | MALAREO Malaria Earth observation Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative Southern Africa |
| url | http://www.geospatialhealth.net/index.php/gh/article/view/329 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michaeltgebreslasie malareoauserdrivenproject AT idesbauwens malareoauserdrivenproject |