SPATIO-TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF DENGUE IN BADULLA DIVISIONAL SECRETARIAT DIVISION, SRI LANKA

Abstract

The research focused on analyzing the spatio-temporal distribution pattern of the dengue epidemic in the Badulla Divisional Secretatiat Division (DSD) in the Badulla District. Accordingly, 29 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) were considered for the study. Data of the recorded dengue cases in the study area were obtained from the secondary sources of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for the years 2015-2019. When considering the Average Nearest Neighbor Analysis, the spatial distribution of the households of the dengue patients represents a clustered pattern under the 99% confidence level.The Kernal Density Estimation revealed that the dengue hotspots are seen in the western part of the study area and more than 70% of the cases have been reported in the urban domains every year. The year 2017 was the most vulnerable, representing about 44% of the total cases. While, 2019 was the second in order, representing about 32% of the total cases. High population density, and improper solid waste disposal methods are the major factors of the vulnerability of the epidemic.