Statistical evaluation of spatial uncertainty in schistosomiasis mapping

Enabling targeted mass drug administration for schistosomiasis in north-western Tanzania: Exploring the use of geostatistical modeling to inform planning at sub-district level

“…Covariates were selected to be included in the models based on previously reported associations with schistosomiasis in past studies. A full list of covariates and their resolution and time frame is shown in Table 1 [26,32,40,41]. The density of snail species that can act as an intermediate host have been found to be affected by altitude, thriving in lower altitudes closer to sea level [32].…”

“…A full list of covariates and their resolution and time frame is shown in Table 1 [26,32,40,41]. The density of snail species that can act as an intermediate host have been found to be affected by altitude, thriving in lower altitudes closer to sea level [32]. These snail species survival and fecundity have furthermore been shown to be influenced by ranges of land surface temperatures [32,42].…”

“…The density of snail species that can act as an intermediate host have been found to be affected by altitude, thriving in lower altitudes closer to sea level [32]. These snail species survival and fecundity have furthermore been shown to be influenced by ranges of land surface temperatures [32,42]. Terrain ruggedness was used as a proxy to estimate the likelihood of accumulation of standing water correlated with snail occurrence [40,43].…”

“…Regression techniques have additionally been used to estimate relationships between survey-based schistosomiasis prevalence and socio-ecological factors, and to predict prevalence at the un-sampled locations [30,31]. Some of these ecological factors, which have been shown to associate with the presence of schistosomiasis, are freely accessible and fairly well documented, and include distance to water bodies or wetlands, temperature, rainfalls, and altitude [32]. Elements that are less frequently incorporated in predictive models but have been well-established to be associated with schistosomiasis prevalence include WASH conditions and childhood malnutrition [33][34][35][36].…”