SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO WANING MEASLES IMMUNITY AMONG VACCINATED CHILDREN IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Abstract
Background: Waning immunity to measles poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings. Understanding the spatial distribution of waning immunity among vaccinated children is crucial for designing targeted interventions. This nested study within a prospective cohort explored the geographic patterns of waning measles immunity in Lusaka, Zambia. Objective: To examine the spatial distribution of waning measles immunity among vaccinated children receiving care at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Methods: This study utilized data from a prospective cohort of 200 children, focusing on 99 participants with waning immunity. Immunity status was determined using IgG testing, and the geographic coordinates of participants’ residences were geocoded. A shapefile of Zambia’s administrative boundaries was used to create maps in QGIS. The distribution of waning immunity was mapped, and areas with higher concentrations of cases were identified visually. Demographic data were analyzed using Bayesian regression to identify predictors of waning immunity. Results: Hotspot analysis highlighted urban areas with the highest prevalence of waning immunity. Bayesian regression indicated that the majority of the selected children who were residing in Lusaka had an increased odd of waning immunity (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–4.5) was significantly associated with waning immunity. Conclusion: This nested study highlights the spatial distribution of waning measles immunity, with hotspots concentrated in Lusaka's urban areas. Integrating geospatial analysis with epidemiological data provides valuable insights for targeted interventions, including booster vaccination campaigns and enhanced cold chain management in high-risk areas. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating GIS into immunization strategies to optimize resource allocation and improve immunity coverage in low-resource settings.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejphs.v8i1.201
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