Abstract
REVIEWING IN THE DENGUE EPIDEMIC IN THE GALLE DISTRICT FROM A MEDICAL GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
Dr. G. Edirisingh*
ABSTRACT
Parasite diseases like dengue is one of the most serious public health hazards in Sri Lanka. Recently a high prevalence of the disease could be observed everywhere in the country. Those affected by the disease are at a high risk as the disease is deadly dangerous. This study is aimed at analyzing the issue from a medical geography perspective with special reference to Galle district during the period from 2000-2014. The research was primarily based on both primary and secondary data collection. Primary data was collected through a questionnaires survey by in field research observations as well as by interviews and discussions conducted within the Galle district municipality. Secondary data was collected from MOH divisions and annual and monthly reports of the ministry of health. Finding of the research indicates that the disease is on the spread in the rural areas as well as in urban areas. Finding of the study confirms that the rainfall factor directly influences on spatial and temporal pattern of the dengue epidemic. When the area is experienced a continues rainfall it shows a dramatic reduction of the disease. At the same time it shows a high tendency of the distribution pattern when the area experienced less rainfall. It was concluded that both annual and monthly spatial and a temporal patterns have a direct impact on the dengue epidemic. Human activities in the urban areas are also caused severely for the spread of the disease. It was recorded that the majority of the patients were within age group between 15-25.That means younger generation have been suffered a lot. Proper management, planning and implementation of action through evaluation of observation should be administrated in order to mitigate the issue.
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