A GIS-based site-specific dengue risk assessment in Davao City using analytical hierarchy process (AHP)

Vladimir Roldan B. Rosales

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the dengue situation of Davao City by integrating socio-physical and climactic factors using AHP and GIS to generate risk zonation area. Potential areas were categorized as high, moderate and low. The factors that were used in determining the risk of dengue fever came from previous related researches. Then, relative weights of factors were computed, with the consistency ratio being less than 0.1 which were within its accepted range. The derived data from AHP-based dengue risk zonation area generated vital information on determining areas belonging to different levels of risks. Based on AHP, the most influential factors were found to be population density, housing density and land use. The accuracy of the AHP-produced dengue risk map with respect to the actual dengue cases map came at 63.64%. Moreover, by sensitivity analysis, the best fit dengue risk model in Davao City was to integrate housing density with the majority weight of 50%. In conclusion, this study produced significant insights on the dengue situation of the city that could potentially enhance public health consciousness. Moreover, GIS and AHP could be applied to amplify surveillance programs of other tropical diseases so that awareness will spark actions of prevention and control.

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