[Validation of satellite estimates for health interventions: use of microcensus data in Bolivia, 2024Validação de estimativas por satélite para intervenções de saúde: o uso de microcensos na Bolívia, 2024].

Abstract

Objective: To provide more accurate population estimates to support the operation of Bolivia's immunization program.

Methods: This cross-sectional ecological study calculated population estimates using geospatial covariates extracted from Meta Data for Good and WorldPop satellite imagery, and validated them with the results of a microcensus conducted in five Bolivian municipalities.

Results: Of the 6077 buildings identified in satellite images, 4505 residential buildings were found to be occupied. Of these, 3087 (68.52%) agreed to participate in the survey. A total of 17 617 people were expected and 13 397 were enumerated. Field enumeration identified fewer people under 30 years of age and more people over 60 years of age than expected. The Meta images provided excellent matches when analyzing population estimates by sex. Meta matched best with enumeration in rural areas, and WorldPop matched best with enumeration in urban areas.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that combining geospatial analysis with microcensus validation can significantly improve health planning, enabling equitable resource distribution and more effective immunization coverage.