Penelope Vounatsou
Biographic Data
| ID | 157008 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Penelope Vounatsou |
| GIVEN NAMES | Penelope |
| FAMILY NAME | Vounatsou |
| SIGNATURE | VOUNATSOU P |
| AFFILIATIONS | Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4904-5352 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 25 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 18 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2001 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Assessing the role of interventions and climate on malaria mortality among children under five years of age
Background: Malaria is a preventable disease that causes serious illness and death. In 2022, it remained the leading cause of death among children under five years of age in Burkina Faso, despite significant intervention efforts over the past two decades. Research on the effects of interventions and climatic factors on malaria morbidity has expanded, but their effects on malaria mortality remain unclear. We aimed to estimate the effects of interv…
The effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on malaria mortality at different spatial scales in western Kenya, 2008–2019
BACKGROUND: Malaria mortality is influenced by several factors including climatic and environmental factors, interventions, socioeconomic status (SES) and access to health systems. Here, we investigated the joint effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on under-five malaria mortality at different spatial scales using data from a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in western Kenya. METHODS: We fitted Bayesian spatiotemporal (ze…
Forecasting malaria dynamics based on causal relations between control interventions, climatic factors, and disease incidence in western Kenya
Background: Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases worldwide, especially among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Predictive models are necessary for effective planning and resource allocation; however, statistical models suffer from association pitfalls. In this study, we used empirical dynamic modelling (EDM) to investigate causal links between climatic factors and intervention coverage with malaria for short-term forecasting. Methods…
Impact of Climate Variability and Interventions on Malaria Incidence and Forecasting in Burkina Faso
The interaction between climatic factors and interventions varied across zones, with the best forecasting performance in the cooler/wet zone. Zone-specific intervention planning and model development adjustments are essential for more efficient early-warning systems
Constructing a malaria-related health service readiness index and assessing its association with child malaria mortality
Performant health services in Burkina Faso are associated with lower malaria mortality rates. Health system readiness should be strengthened in the regions of Sahel, Sud-Ouest and Boucle du Mouhoun. Emphasis should be placed on improving the management of essential medicines and to reducing delays of emergency transportation between the different levels of the health system
Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The clock is ticking and just a little more than 10 years remain to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Enhanced political and public awareness, inter- and transdisciplinary engagement, new partnerships, and multisectoral collaborations are required to foster knowledge-and-action societies in order to tackle the complex issues that are inherent to sustainable development. A one-day symposium held in Basel, Switzerland, in November 2…
Geographical variations of the associations between health interventions and all-cause under-five mortality in Uganda
Sub-national estimates of the associations between U5M and interventions can guide control programmes for spatial targeting and accelerate progress towards mortality-related Sustainable Development Goals
Association between Childhood Diarrhoeal Incidence and Climatic Factors in Urban and Rural Settings in the Health District of Mbour, Senegal
We assessed the association between childhood diarrhoeal incidence and climatic factors in rural and urban settings in the health district of Mbour in western Senegal. We used monthly diarrhoeal case records among children under five years registered in 24 health facilities over a four-year period (2011-2014). Climatic data (i.e., daily temperature, night temperature and rainfall) for the same four-year period were obtained. We performed a negati…
Modelling heterogeneity in malaria transmission using large sparse spatio-temporal entomological data
BACKGROUND: Malaria transmission is measured using entomological inoculation rate (EIR), number of infective mosquito bites/person/unit time. Understanding heterogeneity of malaria transmission has been difficult due to a lack of appropriate data. A comprehensive entomological database compiled by the Malaria Transmission Intensity and Mortality Burden across Africa (MTIMBA) project (2001-2004) at several sites is the most suitable dataset for st…
The contribution of spatial analysis to understanding HIV/TB mortality in children
BACKGROUND: South Africa accounts for more than a sixth of the global population of people infected with HIV and TB, ranking her highest in HIV/TB co-infection worldwide. Remote areas often bear the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality, yet there are spatial differences within rural settings. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to investigate HIV/TB mortality determinants and their spatial distribution in the rural Agincourt sub-district for ch…
Self-rated health
SP5-9 Geographical distribution of schistosomiasis and its control in Nigeria
Introduction Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with over 150 million people. Inadequate basic social amenities and weak primary healthcare infrastructure have promoted the transmission of schistosomiasis. Presently, there is little no control programme due to absence of detail distribution of the disease that can be use in planning control programme in Nigeria. Methods A search of articles related to schistosomiasis in Nigeria from P…
Space and time clustering of mortality in rural South Africa (Agincourt HDSS), 1992–2007
BACKGROUND: Detailed information regarding the spatial and/or spatial-temporal distribution of mortality is required for the efficient implementation and targeting of public health interventions. OBJECTIVES: Identify high risk clusters of mortality within the Agincourt subdistrict for targeting of public health interventions, and highlight areas for further research. DESIGN: Mortality data were extracted from the Agincourt health and socio-demogr…
Young and vulnerable
This study demonstrates the use of Bayesian geostatistical models in assessing risk factors and producing smooth maps of infant mortality risk in a health and socio-demographic surveillance system. Results showed marked geographical differences in mortality risk across a relatively small area. Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV and survival of mothers during the infants' first year in high prevalence villages needs to be urgently addresse…
Spatial effects of mosquito bednets on child mortality
In this multiyear, 25 village assessment, despite substantial known inadequate insecticide-treatment for bed nets, the density of household bed net ownership was significantly associated with all cause child mortality reduction. The absence of community effect of bednets in our study area might be explained by (1) the small proportion of nets which are treated with insecticide, and (2) the relative homogeneity of coverage with nets in the area. T…
Subsistence agriculture and child growth in Papua New Guinea
Spatial statistical analyses of child anthropometric data were undertaken to assess the influence of systems of subsistence agriculture, in terms of staple foods and cash crops cultivated, on patterns of child growth in Papua New Guinea. These agricultural data explained between a quarter and half of the geographical variation in anthropometric growth indicators. Accounting for differences in altitude, relief and rainfall patterns, though explain…
Spatial patterns of child growth in Papua New Guinea and their relation to environment, diet, socio-economic status and subsistence activities
Anthropometric data from the 1982/83 Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Nutrition Survey were analysed to identify geographical patterns of child growth and investigate their relation to a wide range of environmental, dietary and socio-economic variables. Standardized growth scores for length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-length (WLZ) were calculated based on an internal PNG growth reference. Hierarchical Bayesian spatial models…
Psychiatric stigma across cultures
Public responses to depression have a powerful effect on patients' personal experience of illness, the course and outcome of the illness, and their ability to obtain gainful employment
Psychiatric stigma across cultures
Public responses to depression have a powerful effect on patients' personal experience of illness, the course and outcome of the illness, and their ability to obtain gainful employment
Self-rated health
Subsistence agriculture and child growth in Papua New Guinea
Spatial statistical analyses of child anthropometric data were undertaken to assess the influence of systems of subsistence agriculture, in terms of staple foods and cash crops cultivated, on patterns of child growth in Papua New Guinea. These agricultural data explained between a quarter and half of the geographical variation in anthropometric growth indicators. Accounting for differences in altitude, relief and rainfall patterns, though explain…
Spatial patterns of child growth in Papua New Guinea and their relation to environment, diet, socio-economic status and subsistence activities
Anthropometric data from the 1982/83 Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Nutrition Survey were analysed to identify geographical patterns of child growth and investigate their relation to a wide range of environmental, dietary and socio-economic variables. Standardized growth scores for length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-length (WLZ) were calculated based on an internal PNG growth reference. Hierarchical Bayesian spatial models…
Psychiatric stigma across cultures
Public responses to depression have a powerful effect on patients' personal experience of illness, the course and outcome of the illness, and their ability to obtain gainful employment
Spatial effects of mosquito bednets on child mortality
In this multiyear, 25 village assessment, despite substantial known inadequate insecticide-treatment for bed nets, the density of household bed net ownership was significantly associated with all cause child mortality reduction. The absence of community effect of bednets in our study area might be explained by (1) the small proportion of nets which are treated with insecticide, and (2) the relative homogeneity of coverage with nets in the area. T…
Space and time clustering of mortality in rural South Africa (Agincourt HDSS), 1992–2007
BACKGROUND: Detailed information regarding the spatial and/or spatial-temporal distribution of mortality is required for the efficient implementation and targeting of public health interventions. OBJECTIVES: Identify high risk clusters of mortality within the Agincourt subdistrict for targeting of public health interventions, and highlight areas for further research. DESIGN: Mortality data were extracted from the Agincourt health and socio-demogr…
Young and vulnerable
This study demonstrates the use of Bayesian geostatistical models in assessing risk factors and producing smooth maps of infant mortality risk in a health and socio-demographic surveillance system. Results showed marked geographical differences in mortality risk across a relatively small area. Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV and survival of mothers during the infants' first year in high prevalence villages needs to be urgently addresse…
SP5-9 Geographical distribution of schistosomiasis and its control in Nigeria
Introduction Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with over 150 million people. Inadequate basic social amenities and weak primary healthcare infrastructure have promoted the transmission of schistosomiasis. Presently, there is little no control programme due to absence of detail distribution of the disease that can be use in planning control programme in Nigeria. Methods A search of articles related to schistosomiasis in Nigeria from P…
The contribution of spatial analysis to understanding HIV/TB mortality in children
BACKGROUND: South Africa accounts for more than a sixth of the global population of people infected with HIV and TB, ranking her highest in HIV/TB co-infection worldwide. Remote areas often bear the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality, yet there are spatial differences within rural settings. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to investigate HIV/TB mortality determinants and their spatial distribution in the rural Agincourt sub-district for ch…
Self-rated health
Modelling heterogeneity in malaria transmission using large sparse spatio-temporal entomological data
BACKGROUND: Malaria transmission is measured using entomological inoculation rate (EIR), number of infective mosquito bites/person/unit time. Understanding heterogeneity of malaria transmission has been difficult due to a lack of appropriate data. A comprehensive entomological database compiled by the Malaria Transmission Intensity and Mortality Burden across Africa (MTIMBA) project (2001-2004) at several sites is the most suitable dataset for st…
Association between Childhood Diarrhoeal Incidence and Climatic Factors in Urban and Rural Settings in the Health District of Mbour, Senegal
We assessed the association between childhood diarrhoeal incidence and climatic factors in rural and urban settings in the health district of Mbour in western Senegal. We used monthly diarrhoeal case records among children under five years registered in 24 health facilities over a four-year period (2011-2014). Climatic data (i.e., daily temperature, night temperature and rainfall) for the same four-year period were obtained. We performed a negati…
Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The clock is ticking and just a little more than 10 years remain to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Enhanced political and public awareness, inter- and transdisciplinary engagement, new partnerships, and multisectoral collaborations are required to foster knowledge-and-action societies in order to tackle the complex issues that are inherent to sustainable development. A one-day symposium held in Basel, Switzerland, in November 2…
Geographical variations of the associations between health interventions and all-cause under-five mortality in Uganda
Sub-national estimates of the associations between U5M and interventions can guide control programmes for spatial targeting and accelerate progress towards mortality-related Sustainable Development Goals
Constructing a malaria-related health service readiness index and assessing its association with child malaria mortality
Performant health services in Burkina Faso are associated with lower malaria mortality rates. Health system readiness should be strengthened in the regions of Sahel, Sud-Ouest and Boucle du Mouhoun. Emphasis should be placed on improving the management of essential medicines and to reducing delays of emergency transportation between the different levels of the health system
The effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on malaria mortality at different spatial scales in western Kenya, 2008–2019
BACKGROUND: Malaria mortality is influenced by several factors including climatic and environmental factors, interventions, socioeconomic status (SES) and access to health systems. Here, we investigated the joint effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on under-five malaria mortality at different spatial scales using data from a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in western Kenya. METHODS: We fitted Bayesian spatiotemporal (ze…
Forecasting malaria dynamics based on causal relations between control interventions, climatic factors, and disease incidence in western Kenya
Background: Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases worldwide, especially among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Predictive models are necessary for effective planning and resource allocation; however, statistical models suffer from association pitfalls. In this study, we used empirical dynamic modelling (EDM) to investigate causal links between climatic factors and intervention coverage with malaria for short-term forecasting. Methods…
Impact of Climate Variability and Interventions on Malaria Incidence and Forecasting in Burkina Faso
The interaction between climatic factors and interventions varied across zones, with the best forecasting performance in the cooler/wet zone. Zone-specific intervention planning and model development adjustments are essential for more efficient early-warning systems
Assessing the role of interventions and climate on malaria mortality among children under five years of age
Background: Malaria is a preventable disease that causes serious illness and death. In 2022, it remained the leading cause of death among children under five years of age in Burkina Faso, despite significant intervention efforts over the past two decades. Research on the effects of interventions and climatic factors on malaria morbidity has expanded, but their effects on malaria mortality remain unclear. We aimed to estimate the effects of interv…
Medicine (13 works) · Environmental health (10 works) · Geography (10 works) · Demography (8 works) · Global Maternal and Child Health (8 works) · Malaria (7 works) · Demography (6 works) · Malaria Research and Control (6 works) · Mosquito-borne diseases and control (6 works) · Child Nutrition and Water Access (5 works)