Spatial and temporal analysis of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) is a main health issue of Pakistan. This study deals to visualize the spatial distribution of ARIs in first instance and further to investigate their underlying temporal pattern in Bahawalpur district of Southern Punjab Pakistan. The main purpose is to measure spatial patterns of ARIs which might be helpful for better understanding its environmental determinants and leads to hypothesis generation for further investigation. Study design selected to conduct this research is of descriptive and exploratory nature. Epidemiological data of ARIs was collected mainly through 115 health centres from the study area for year 2010 to 2012 and was used to map spatial patterns of ARIs through Inverse distance weighted (IDW) spatial interpolation and Spatial Autocorrelation and Cluster Outlier Analysis. Results show that the clusters of ARIs were found mainly around urban units of tehsils. The study also suggests the set of remedies and policy changes addressing the local environmental problems and to reducing the incidence of ARIs through collaboration of local government and community.