Technical Guidelines for Integrated Disease Surveillance ... - PHRplus

Figure 4: Meningitis cases from Bolgatanga District3.2.2 Analyse data by placeAnalysing data according to place gives information about where a disease is occurring. Establishing andregularly updating a spot map of cases for selected diseases can give ideas as to where, how, and why the diseaseis spreading. An analysis of place provides information that is used to:Identify the physical features of the landUnderstand the population distribution and density of the areaDescribe the variety of populations in an area (farming area, high density urban area, refugeesettlement and so on)Describe environmental factors (major water sources in a community such as rivers, lakes and pumps)Identify clinics, meeting houses, schools, community buildings and large shelters that can beused during emergency situationsShow distances between health units and villages (by travel time or distance in kilometers)Plan routes for supervisory or case investigation activitiesCreate a spot map to use as part of routine surveillance of disease.Figure 5 is an example of a spot map.Obtain a local map from the local government office or land department. Trace the main featuresneeded for health work onto transparent paper and then to a large card that can be hung on a wall foreasy use. If no official map is available, sketch the whole district area.34Technical Guidelines for Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response in Ghana