A Study on Spatial Distribution of HIV/AIDS Using Histogram and Geographic Information System

Abstract

Background: The high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections has become a devastating publi6c health problem. In response, many governments have taken measures to reduce the transmission of HIV and the number of deaths from HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study aims to investigate spatial distribution of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths from AIDS in Vietnam in 2017 with the help of a histogram and Geographic Information System (GIS). Materials and Methods: Datasets of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths from AIDS in Vietnam in 2017 were first collected from website of the Vietnam Ministry of Health. Histogram was then used to study distribution of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths from AIDS. It will go on to analyze the spatial distribution of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths from AIDS. Finally, the results will be discussed and concluded. Results: It was found that a high number of HIV/AIDS cases was mainly concentrated in the provinces of the north central region, Da Nang and some provinces in the south of Vietnam. High number of deaths due to AIDS was mainly concentrated in the provinces/cities of the northeast and north central regions of Vietnam. Meanwhile, low and very low numbers of deaths due to AIDS were mainly found in the south central and south-central regions of Vietnam. Conclusion: Histogram and GIS-based mapping technique can be useful tools for mapping spatial distribution of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths from AIDS. Findings in this study can also provide an insight into the spread patterns of HIV/AIDS. Keywords: Spatial distribution, HIV/AIDS, Infectious diseases, Deaths, Histogram, Geographic Information System.