Spatial analysis and mapping of malaria risk areas using multi-criteria decision making in Didessa District, South West Ethiopia

Abstract Malaria has long been a cause of human suffering and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess the spatial distribution of malaria risk using MCE (Multi-Criteria Evaluation). To analyze and generate a spatial malaria risk level distribution map. Factors that affect the spatial malaria hazard and risk distribution have been considered. Such as; temperature, rainfall, altitude, slope, distance from the river, population density, and land use land cover factors were selected to produce a malaria risk map of the Didessa district area. GIS based multi-criteria evaluation method applied using weighted overlay analysis by considering three map layer factors (i.e. malaria hazard map layer, element at risk map layer, and vulnerability map layer), an optimum malaria risk map is produced. The malaria risk map result shows that 0.68%, 36.2%, 30.1%, 27.52% 5.5% of the study area falls under very high, high, moderate, low, and very low spatial malaria risk levels respectively. Our findings indicate that malaria is heavily influenced by major environmental parameters and socio-economic factors and these factors play a vital role either directly or indirectly in the occurrence of this vector-borne disease. In conclusion, 36.88% (31034.88 ha) of the study area has a high potential risk of malaria disease manifestation and occurrence. The result of this report indicates that there are high malaria risk areas in the district. This ascertains the communities living in those areas are prone to the disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prevent and progressively reduce malaria disease distribution through policy formulation and health care implementation in prioritized areas. This study is useful to use as a guideline for further research study in combating malaria distribution, particularly in developing countries.