Big-data-driven modeling unveils country-wide drivers of endemic schistosomiasis.

ABSTRACT: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, where it represents a major health problem. We study the drivers of its geographical distribution in Senegal via a spatially explicit network model accounting for epidemiological dynamics driven by local socioeconomic and environmental conditions, and human mobility. The model is parameterized by tapping several available geodatabases and a large dataset of mobile phone traces. It reliably reproduces the observed spatial patterns of regional schistosomiasis prevalence throughout the country, provided that spatial heterogeneity and human mobility are suitably accounted for. Specifically, a fine-grained description of the socioeconomic and environmental heterogeneities involved in local disease transmission is

SUBMITTER: Mari L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5428445 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature