Analyzing Spatial Clustering and Hotspots Detection of HIV/AIDS Prevalence using GIS Technology.

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is one such epidemic that poses serious challenges and threatens the overall human welfare. This paper examines the spatial variation of HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Phayao province, Thailand from 2006 to 2010. It uses spatial autocorrelation analysis (SAA) techniques to provide insight into the patterns, in terms of their geographical distributions and hotspot identification. The overriding objective is to determine if there is a significant spatial clustering of HIV/AIDS. In addition, local indicators of spatial association (LISA) and kernel density (KD) estimation were used to detect HIV/AIDS hotspots using data at village level. The hotspot maps showed spatial trend patterns of HIV/AIDS diffusion. Villages in the northern part revealed higher incidence. Furthermore, the spatial patterns during the years 2007 and 2010 were found to represent spatially clustered patterns, both at global and local scales.