Browsing by Author "Zewdu, Tekalign"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The Use of Geographic Information System Technology for Hiv/Aids Prevention Planning, Evaluation and Surveillance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa Universty, 2006-06) Zewdu, Tekalign; Ayalew, Lulseged (PhD)
    This study focuses on GIS based mapping of high HIV/AIDS vulnerable areas of Addis Ababa city which helps planning and wise allocation of resources to prevent the spread of the epidemic. In this study GIS techniques were found to be useful to offer helpful information on the spatial distribution of HIV/AIDS risk factors. Using GIS, different criterion (factor) maps have been prepared; these maps are the Female Population Density criterion map, the Young Population Density criterion map, the Economically Inactive (Low Income) Population Density criterion map, the Commercial Sex-workers Density criterion map, and the Establishments (i.e. those establishments that incorporate the commercial sex-workers as part of their business) Density criterion map. A map that shows the existing HIV positive population density was also prepared and used to assign weights to the criteria maps. Different GIS data processing techniques have been deployed to extract specific information for the required analyses. Spatial multicriteria decision analysis approach was used for selecting evaluation criteria and deriving commensurate (standardized) criteria maps. Criteria weights were derived on the basis of the Pairwise comparison method. The GIS analyses indicated that sex-workers concentration is high in the central northwestern part of the city. Similar results were found for the female population distribution, the young population distribution, and the distribution of establishments that incorporate commercial sex-workers as part of their business. The result of the GIS analysis showed that 4% of the total area of the city is found in the ‘Highest Susceptible’ zone. This zone includes in particular Woreda 7, Woreda 6, Woreda 5, and Woreda 4 areas of the city. The result also showed that 11%, 34% and 51% of the areas of the Addis Ababa city are found in the ‘Higher’, ‘High’ and ‘Low’ susceptible zones respectively. The spatial distributions of the existing VCT centers and the developed HIV/AIDS susceptibility map show some degree of correlation. When it is intended to open a new VCT center, it is recommended that first priority should be given to those areas which have sparsely distributed VCT centers; doing so increases the accessibility to VCT centers which are the first and most important step to combat the disease.