Multiscale Spatial Modelling Of Diabetes And Hypertension In Namibia

ABSTRACT

In Namibia, non-communicable diseases are on the increase. Statistics on noncommunicable diseases (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension etc.) as a cause of morbidity and mortality indicate that it is a public health concern although population based estimates in the area are lacking. The Ministry of Health and Social Services stated that between 2004 and 2008, hospital based mortality due to cancer (all types) increased from 3.2% to 54.7%, cardiovascular diseases (all types) increased from 5.3% to 21.2% while diabetes mellitus also increased from 1.0% to 14.6%. To curb the rising trend of the burden of non-communicable diseases in Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services embarked on several preventive initiatives such as raising awareness through preventive programmes, passing laws related to the use of tobacco products, developing national promotion policies as well as health promoting school initiatives. The programmes however are implemented at national level but efficient targeting of such programmes requires the identification of high risk areas of diseases to identify where the disease is most prevalent. The use of disease maps to identify areas of elevated risk for non-communicable diseases in Namibia therefore becomes important with the available limited resources. Disease mapping is one such approach that can serve as a basic tool in planning to optimize the reduction of non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, mapping of such diseases allows the study of one disease at a time or multiple disease for comprehensive programming. The study follows a quantitative cross sectional study design using multiscale disease modelling methods to describe areas of elevated risk at region, health district and constituency level in Namibia.