Malaria Hazard and Risk Mapping Using GIS Based Spatial Multicriteria Evaluation Technique (SMCET) in Tekeze Basin Development Corridor, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Tekeze Bain Development Corridor (TBDC) is a major river basin that has malaria problems in Ethiopia. Given that malaria is an environmental disease and spatial phenomenon, the application of GIS based Spatial Multicriteria Evaluation Technique (SMCET) are essential to the malaria hazard/risk management process. Malaria hazard and risk map are effective tools to reduce the spread of malaria. The purpose of this study was to assess malaria hazard and risk of TBDC using GIS based SMECT. Malaria causative factors such as distance from water bodies, temperature, drainage, slope and elevation were developed in the GIS environment. The computed Eigen vector was used as a coefficient for the respective factor maps to be combined in weighted overlay in the Arc GIS environment. A model builder in Arc GIS was used to facilitate the overall malaria hazard assessment by combining all impact factors. Malaria risk assessment was done using the malaria hazard layer and the elements at risk/socio-economic factors that determine the level of risk, namely population density, land use, health services and road access. The major finding of the malaria hazard map of TBDC indicated that 397,333.1ha (14%), 1,689,179.68ha (58%), 743,988.96 ha (26%) and 59, 849.41ha (2%) of the area considered in TBDC were subjected respectively to low, moderate, high and very high malaria hazards.

Keywords: Malaria hazard; Malaria Risk; Geographic Information System;  Arc Map Model Builder, Spatial Multicriteria Evaluation Technique; Tekeze Basin Development Corridor.