Detection of High Risk Clusters of Diarrhoea, Fever and Cough in Tanzania: Results from Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys, 1999 to 2016

Abstract

Demographic and health surveys provide useful nation-wide data for assessing the impact of maternal and child health in developing countries. Using Tanzania demographic and health survey data for the period of 1999 to 2016, the current study aimed at assessing the spatial distribution of childhood illnesses in Tanzania. The Kulldorff’s Spatial Scan Statistic was applied to identify clusters with the high risk of childhood diarrhoea, fever and cough. Results indicate that one cluster has been identifed for any of the childhood illnesses (diarrhoea, fever and cough) in 1999. The identifed clusters with the high risk of childhood illnesses (diarrhoea, fever and cough) showed a decrease of sample points with time specifcally in high risk clusters for 2004-05, 2009-10 and 2015-16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys. Also, the radii of high risk clusters were decreasing with increase in time. These results suggest improvements in child health status and indicate narrow concentration of childhood illness to some specifc areas in the country. The small area estimation is required to guide interventions effectively in order to alleviate common risk factors within the location.