Space–time distribution of intestinal infectious diseases and their association with socioeconomic variables in Ecuador

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22072610
AutoresKarina Lalangui (0000-0001-8506-4107, Universidad UTE, autor de correspondencia), Max Cotera-Mantilla (Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública), Marco Sánchez-Murillo (0000-0002-3719-8589, Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública), Alex Carrera-Alvarez (Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública), Mónica Duque-Cuasapaz (Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública), Emmanuelle Quentin (0000-0001-5600-2361, Universidad UTE)
Año2024
Volumen12
Páginas1412362-1412362
Fecha de publicación2024-07-10
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1412362
PMID39050603
OpenAlexW4400513688
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas40

Background: Intestinal infectious diseases are a global concern in terms of morbidity, and they are closely linked to socioeconomic variables such as quality of life, weather and access to healthcare services. Despite progress in spatial analysis tools and geographic information systems in epidemiology, studies in Ecuador that evaluate temporal trends, specific geographic groups, and their correlation with socioeconomic variables are lacking. The absence of such information makes it challenging to formulate public health policies. This study sought to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of these diseases in Ecuador, along with their correlation with socioeconomic variables. Methods: In Ecuador, the study was carried out in a continental territory, focusing on data related to intestinal infectious diseases collected from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos) during the period from 2014 to 2019. This study involved spatial and temporal analyses using tools such as the global Moran's index and Local Indicators of Spatial Association to identify spatial clustering patterns and autocorrelation. Additionally, correlations between morbidity rates and socioeconomic variables were examined. Results: During the investigated period, Ecuador registered 209,668 cases of these diseases. Notable variations in case numbers were identified, with a 9.2% increase in 2019 compared to the previous year. The most impacted group was children under 5 years old, and the highest rates were centered in the southern and southwestern regions of the country, with Limón Indanza and Chunchi being the cantons with the highest rates, notably showing a significant increase in Limón Indanza. Additionally, there were significant correlations between morbidity rates and socioeconomic variables, school dropout rates, low birth weight, and access to water services. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of considering socioeconomic variables when addressing these diseases in Ecuador. Understanding these correlations and geospatial trends can guide the development of health policies and specific intervention programs to reduce the incidence in identified high-risk areas. More specific research is needed to understand the underlying causes of variability in morbidity and develop effective prevention strategies

Cartography · Environmental health · Geographic information system · Geography · Pathology · Population · Public health · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Mathematics · Medicine · Parasites and Host Interactions · Zoonotic diseases and public health · Epidemiology