Spatial and Temporal Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Diseases In Punjab Province of Pakistan-2018

Abstract

Background: Vector-borne diseases are a major public health problem worldwide. Dengue Fever (DF), Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), and Malaria are endemic in Pakistan. The current study aimed to find out the temporal and spatial distribution of vector-borne diseases in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Materials & Methods: Secondary data of vector-borne disease that were reported in Punjab were retrieved from all data repositories from 1 July, 2016 to 30 June, 2017. Our objective was to determine the temporal and spatial distribution of diseases and personal characteristics of the confirmed cases in Punjab. Descriptive analyses were run using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 24.0. Results: Malaria and dengue fever were the only vector-borne disease identified in the data repository. A total of 2,640 cases of malaria were reported from 1 July, 2016 to 30 June, 2017 and with 1,415 (53%) male cases (male: female, 1:1). A total of 2,520 cases of dengue fever were reported with 1,829 (72%) male cases (male: female, 3:1). The mean age was 17 ±9years for malaria and 32 ±12 years for dengue fever. For malaria, the most affected age group was 5-9 years (n=709, 27%), while for dengue fever it was 20-24 years. The highest number of malaria cases (n=821) were reported from Muzaffargarh (southern Punjab) and the highest number of dengue cases (n=1139) were reported from Rawalpindi (northern Punjab). Temporal characteristics of dengue indicated the highest frequency from September to November, while malaria showed high incidence patterns from August to October. Conclusion: Our results direct health policy makers towards a data driven policy where they need to target two different poles of Punjab for the two mosquito borne diseases. Social, temporal and spatial distribution is suggestive of besieged interventions for both diseases, yet integrated with their respective vector control measures.