The spatial and temporal pattern of Dengue in Matara district

Abstract

The Dengue disease has spread rapidly as primarily an epidemic in Sri Lanka, where a continuous growth of the disease from 2001 to 2009 could be detected. Of the 31,847 affected cases more than 347 people in the island have got killed. There is a high tendency of dengue spreading in the southern province, and the Matara district has been selected for the research, since there has been an outstandingly high number of a reported case in dengue in the Matara district. The aim of this study was to analyze the geographical aspect subjected to temporal and spatial pattern of dengue disease in the district. Two Grama Niladari Divisions, viz Koduwegoda and Meddawatta have been reported on having had a high spread of dengue in 2009 the Matara divisional Secretariat areas of the Matara district. Primary data collection was done through the details questionnaire, too 60 families which depth and examine using the 60 families. Similarly, geographical conditions of the area mentioned and social and economic status to the families subjected to the disease have been analyzed. Further, a measure to be taken to prevent this disease from spreading was discussed with the occupants of the affected area by this study. This research revealed that, geographical factors were outstandingly responsible to the spread of the disease. When considering the areas where the disease has received sporadic rain it was identified that due to stagnating of water, that disease has spread widely in the urban areas mostly in the district. Further, population growth and other more subtle forces have played a role in this increase. Also, in uncontrolled urbanization has led to inadequate management of water storage and undisposable material that become habitats for the breeding of mosquito vectors.