Application of Geographic Information Systems to Schistosomiasis Risk Mapping in Bauchi State, Northeast Nigeria

Geographic information systems offer powerful capabilities for identifying high-risk zones for schistosomiasis transmission and targeting preventive chemotherapy resources in resource-limited settings. This study applied geographic information systems techniques to map schistosomiasis transmission risk in Bauchi State, Northeast Nigeria. Prevalence data from school-based parasitological surveys conducted across 30 communities in five local government areas were geo-referenced using GPS coordinates. Environmental risk variables including proximity to water bodies, land use patterns, elevation, and rainfall were extracted from satellite imagery and integrated using ArcGIS software. Logistic regression modelling identified predictors of community-level high prevalence (greater than 10 percent threshold). Risk maps were generated depicting low, moderate, and high transmission zones. Communities within 2 kilometres of permanent water bodies and those in low-lying flood-prone terrain had significantly elevated predicted schistosomiasis prevalence. High-risk zones corresponded predominantly to rural farming communities dependent on surface water for domestic use. The resulting risk stratification maps were validated against independent survey data with 84.6 percent predictive accuracy. The study recommends incorporation of geographic information systems-based risk mapping into the state's annual schistosomiasis control planning cycle to optimise praziquantel allocation. Keywords: geographic information systems, schistosomiasis, risk mapping, Bauchi State, preventive chemotherapy.