Abstract:
This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in Douala,
Cameroon, from 2010 to 2013, focusing on the influence of groundwater quality and
environmental factors on disease incidence. By integrating detailed physicochemical and
microbiological assessments of well water with advanced geospatial modeling techniques
namely Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) the
analysis reveals significant seasonal fluctuations and spatial clusters of AGE, particularly during
the rainy season. The findings indicate that areas with shallow groundwater tables, such as Akwa
Nord, Bépanda, and Omnisport, experience higher AGE incidences, likely due to increased
vulnerability to contamination from urban runoff, agricultural inputs, and inadequate waste
disposal. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted water and sanitation interventions,
enhanced monitoring, and community-focused public health strategies to mitigate the impact of
groundwater contamination on public health in Douala's informal settlements. The results
highlight the critical role of environmental factors in shaping disease dynamics and emphasize
the importance of integrating environmental and health data to inform evidence-based policy
decisions.
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