A high resolution spatial population database of Somalia for disease risk mapping
Catherine Linard1, Victor A Alegana, Abdisalan M Noor
1Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK. catherine.linard@zoo.ox.ac.uk
International Journal of Health Geographics
|September 16, 2010
Summary
Accurate population data is crucial for health planning in Somalia. This study developed detailed, up-to-date gridded population datasets using satellite imagery and settlement data, improving health risk assessments.
Area of Science:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Spatial Analysis
- Demography
Background:
- Somalia's unstable political situation hinders access to basic health services.
- Reconstructing the health sector requires accurate population distribution data for infectious disease burden estimation.
- Existing population data in Somalia is often lacking, of poor quality, or rapidly outdated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop contemporary and spatially detailed population data for Somalia.
- To create an easily updatable gridded population dataset.
- To improve the accuracy of health risk assessments by providing better population distribution information.
Main Methods:
- Utilized satellite imagery for land cover information.
- Integrated existing settlement point datasets for population reallocation within census units.
- Employed simple and semi-automated methods with free image processing software to generate a 100x100 meter gridded population dataset.
Main Results:
- Produced a detailed, up-to-date gridded population dataset for Somalia (2010).
- Matched the dataset to UN-projected administrative population totals.
- Identified significant differences in population distribution and malaria risk estimates compared to existing datasets, particularly in densely populated areas.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated the feasibility of producing detailed, contemporary, and easily updatable population distribution datasets for Somalia.
- The 2010 population dataset is freely available through the AfriPop Project.
- The methodology provides a valuable tool for health sector reconstruction and infectious disease burden estimation in data-scarce regions.
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