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Lymphatic filariasis in 2016 in American Samoa: Identifying clustering and hotspots using non-spatial and three spatial analytical methods.
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 16, Iss 3, p e0010262 (2022)
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2022.
-
Abstract
- BackgroundAmerican Samoa completed seven rounds of mass drug administration from 2000-2006 as part of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). However, resurgence was confirmed in 2016 through WHO-recommended school-based transmission assessment survey and a community-based survey. This paper uses data from the 2016 community survey to compare different spatial and non-spatial methods to characterise clustering and hotspots of LF.MethodNon-spatial clustering of infection markers (antigen [Ag], microfilaraemia [Mf], and antibodies (Ab [Wb123, Bm14, Bm33]) was assessed using intra-cluster correlation coefficients (ICC) at household and village levels. Spatial dependence, clustering and hotspots were examined using semivariograms, Kulldorf's scan statistic and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics based on locations of surveyed households.ResultsThe survey included 2671 persons (750 households, 730 unique locations in 30 villages). ICCs were higher at household (0.20-0.69) than village levels (0.10-0.30) for all infection markers. Semivariograms identified significant spatial dependency for all markers (range 207-562 metres). Using Kulldorff's scan statistic, significant spatial clustering was observed in two previously known locations of ongoing transmission: for all markers in Fagali'i and all Abs in Vaitogi. Getis-Ord Gi* statistic identified hotspots of all markers in Fagali'i, Vaitogi, and Pago Pago-Anua areas. A hotspot of Ag and Wb123 Ab was identified around the villages of Nua-Seetaga-Asili. Bm14 and Bm33 Ab hotspots were seen in Maleimi and Vaitogi-Ili'ili-Tafuna.ConclusionOur study demonstrated the utility of different non-spatial and spatial methods for investigating clustering and hotspots, the benefits of using multiple infection markers, and the value of triangulating results between methods.
- Subjects :
- Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19352727 and 19352735
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.36366fac95f4423b84c73956ee9f279a
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010262