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Distance from Healthcare Facilities Is Associated with Increased Morbidity of Acute Infection in Pediatric Patients in Matiari, Pakistan

Author

Listed:
  • Elise Corden

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Saman Hasan Siddiqui

    (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Yash Sharma

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Muhammad Faraz Raghib

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • William Adorno

    (Department of Engineering Systems and Environment, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Fatima Zulqarnain

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Lubaina Ehsan

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Aman Shrivastava

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Sheraz Ahmed

    (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Fayaz Umrani

    (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Najeeb Rahman

    (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Rafey Ali

    (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Najeeha T. Iqbal

    (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Sean R. Moore

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Syed Asad Ali

    (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Sana Syed

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
    Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
    School of Data Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

Abstract

The relationship between environmental factors and child health is not well understood in rural Pakistan. This study characterized the environmental factors related to the morbidity of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), diarrhea, and growth using geographical information systems (GIS) technology. Anthropometric, address and disease prevalence data were collected through the SEEM (Study of Environmental Enteropathy and Malnutrition) study in Matiari, Pakistan. Publicly available map data were used to compile coordinates of healthcare facilities. A Pearson correlation coefficient ( r ) was used to calculate the correlation between distance from healthcare facilities and participant growth and morbidity. Other continuous variables influencing these outcomes were analyzed using a random forest regression model. In this study of 416 children, we found that participants living closer to secondary hospitals had a lower prevalence of ARI ( r = 0.154, p < 0.010) and diarrhea (r = 0.228, p < 0.001) as well as participants living closer to Maternal Health Centers (MHCs): ARI ( r = 0.185, p < 0.002) and diarrhea ( r = 0.223, p < 0.001) compared to those living near primary facilities. Our random forest model showed that distance has high variable importance in the context of disease prevalence. Our results indicated that participants closer to more basic healthcare facilities reported a higher prevalence of both diarrhea and ARI than those near more urban facilities, highlighting potential public policy gaps in ameliorating rural health.

Suggested Citation

  • Elise Corden & Saman Hasan Siddiqui & Yash Sharma & Muhammad Faraz Raghib & William Adorno & Fatima Zulqarnain & Lubaina Ehsan & Aman Shrivastava & Sheraz Ahmed & Fayaz Umrani & Najeeb Rahman & Rafey , 2021. "Distance from Healthcare Facilities Is Associated with Increased Morbidity of Acute Infection in Pediatric Patients in Matiari, Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11691-:d:673942
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric W Fox & Jay M Ver Hoef & Anthony R Olsen, 2020. "Comparing spatial regression to random forests for large environmental data sets," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, March.
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    3. Tomislav Hengl & Gerard B M Heuvelink & Bas Kempen & Johan G B Leenaars & Markus G Walsh & Keith D Shepherd & Andrew Sila & Robert A MacMillan & Jorge Mendes de Jesus & Lulseged Tamene & Jérôme E Tond, 2015. "Mapping Soil Properties of Africa at 250 m Resolution: Random Forests Significantly Improve Current Predictions," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-26, June.
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    1. Muhammad Shahid & Waqar Ameer & Najma Iqbal Malik & Muhammad Babar Alam & Farooq Ahmed & Madeeha Gohar Qureshi & Huiping Zhao & Juan Yang & Sidra Zia, 2022. "Distance to Healthcare Facility and Lady Health Workers’ Visits Reduce Malnutrition in under Five Children: A Case Study of a Disadvantaged Rural District in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, July.

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