Spatial Analysis of the Distribution of Typhoid Fever in Turkey

Disease maps have been playing a key descriptive role in epidemiology. Hence, they are useful tools for identification of areas of the true underlying geographical distribution of the disease incidences. The development of information system technology over the last 30 years has provided a powerful ability to examine spatial patterns, so geographical information systems (GIS) are begun to use in public health and epidemiologic researches. Today many health agencies and researchers have been using GIS technology to manage and analyze their health data. Because of the geographical, economical, environmental and cultural differences among the provinces of Turkey, it is thought that typhoid fever disease can show different distributions and clusters. Therefore, a GIS based spatial analysis was carried out to explore regional clustering of typhoid fever in Turkey. Distribution of typhoid fever and infection cluster areas among provinces of Turkey were determined to implement precautionary measures and provisions effectively by health agencies in Turkey. Study showed that spatial analyses and statistic significantly contribute to the understanding the epidemiology of diseases. With the aid of these analyses it will be effective to monitor and identify high rate disease locations or regions and to implement precautionary measures and provisions. * Corresponding author