Spatial and Temporal Distribution Analysis of the Effective Factors in the Prevalence of COVID-19 in South Khorasan Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

2 Master of Environmental Health Engineering, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

4 Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, raised global health concerns due to its rapid spread. During the fight against this epidemic, GIS and geographical information have played an important role in identifying the spatial transmission of this pandemic for control, prevention, and decision-making regarding the allocation of medical resources. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution and influential factors in the spread of COVID-19 in South Khorasan province using a geographic information system. This descriptive-analytical study examined the relationship between 12 descriptive variables, including elevation, average precipitation, average temperature, population, area, literacy rate, insurance coverage, unemployment rate, population density, number of people over 65, number of hospitals, and number of health centers, with the dependent variable of COVID-19 incidence at the study boundary, using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. To this end, the Moran's spatial correlation test was used. The results showed that five variables had a significant correlation with the distribution of COVID-19 in the province. Population density, people over 65, and the number of hospitals had a greater impact compared to other variables. Based on the obtained results, this system can be useful in the management and control of the COVID-19 epidemic and can be used in pandemic diseases as well.

Keywords

References

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Green Development Management Studies
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
November 2022
Pages 143-158

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