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The Analysis of Spatial Distribution and Geographical Determinants of Leprosy Patients in Colombo and Suburbs

Abstract

Leprosy is one of the most neglected tropical disease and epidemic outbreaks often occurred in the world. World Health Organization has estimated that about three million people reported as permanently disabled due to leprosy at present. Considering the global situation, it is obvious factor to be understand that leprosy detection rate has increased in hidden way. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world detecting average of 1800-2000 new cases yearly. Colombo district has become the region where highest leprosy incidents reported at present. Therefore, the research problem focuses to identify the distribution pattern of leprosy patients in Colombo and suburbs and then analyze the hotspots using ArcGIs, SPSS and Excell. Hot spots identified by choropleth mapping on the study area show the spatial pattern of leprosy patients while Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) map shows most critical hot spots in and around the lower part. Hot spot analysis revealed that Koralawella Grama Niladari Division is the most severe area (statistically significant ( >2.58 ) spatial clustering) of spreading Micobacterium leprosy compare with other Grama Niladari Divisions. The reasons for spatial clustering of disease rates are not known, but might be related to an heterogeneous distribution of other factors such as crowding, poverty, and environmental characteristics may be influenced the transmission of mycobacterium leprae.

 

 

 

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Thesis