RISK ASSESSMENT OF DIARRHOEAL DISEASE USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL OF SAMUT SONGKHRAM PROVINCE, THAILAND

This study aims to investigate factors related to diarrheal disease occurrence in Samut Songkhram Province and create a spatial model to assess the level of diarrhoea risk at the district level of Samut Songkhram Province, including Muang Samut Songkhram, Amphawa and Bang Khonthi. Ten factors, including land use, population density, number of food establishments, standardized markets, hygienic toilets, volume of waste, water quality, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were used to study their relationship with cases of diarrhoea. The results of the analysis determined four factors associated with diarrhoea, including land use, standardized markets, volume of waste and water quality (p ≤ 0 .0 5 ) . Meanwhile, assessment of diarrhoea risk levels employing GIS established that Muang Samut Songkhram had the highest risk followed by Amphawa and Bang Khonthi, respectively. This information is important for planning and controlling diarrhoeal disease in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand.