INTRODUCTION

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide the standard platform for exploring spatial attributes and relationships between our environment and health. This course offers an introduction to GIS and how it is used in public health and epidemiological research. It will introduce participants to the basics including: working with and integrating spatial and non-spatial data; geographic scale and spatial precision; decoding; visualization; thematic mapping; and understanding spatial relationships. 

Assessing exposure to a range of environmental risks, Specific skills and tools will be introduced, and a particular focus will be given to methods for spatial linkage of exposure, contextual and confounder information for epidemiological or health risk assessment studies.

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, the participant should be able to:

·      Understand the basics of spatial data and its role in decision making

·      Undertake spatial analysis of environment and health data

·      Explain why geographic data and tools are important for health decision makers

·      Understand geography as a unifying framework and GIS as a tool to   collect, link, analyze, visualize, manage, and share data and information

·      Distinguish between the different tools used to collect, analyze, and    manipulate geographic data

·      Communicate with technical specialists to develop program-specific    geographic products Work with and integrate spatial and non-spatial data

·      Integrate data of different geographic scales and spatial precision

·      Visualize spatial data

·      Investigate spatial patterns of health risks and disease rates

·      Produce thematic maps and reports

DURATION

This course will be completed within 5 days

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Public health practitioners, epidemiologists, exposure scientists, quantitative health geographers, risk assessors, students

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: GIS for Health Sector Program Management Introduction

·      Introduction to GIS

·      Basic concepts in GIS

·      GIS for health applications

·      GIS advantages in Health

·      Introduction to Quantum GIS(QGIS) and its user interface

Module 2: Spatial data collection techniques for health applications

·      Digitizing and scanning of maps

·      Using GPS

·      Using GPS utility software for managing and downloading and managing data

·      Using Mobile Phones (ODK) for GIS data collection

·      Importing GPS data to Quantum GIS

·      Extraction of data from GPS

·      Mapping GPS data

·      Bringing ODK data into a GIS

Module 3: Data Visualization

·      Map layers in GIS

·      Composing a GIS layout from GIS layers

·      Geoprocessing

·      Key elements of a map

·      Composing a map

·       Case study

Module 4: Geocoding tabular data

·      Creating health-care map layers

·      Spatially join and aggregate point data to create choropleth maps

·      Building and coding the new variables

·      Using data from databases database management

·      Project maps for health data analysis at different geographic scales

·      Techniques of overlaying GIS data

·      Extracting subsets of GIS data for mapping

·      Prepare incidence and prevalence maps

Module 5: Case Study: Studying disease outbreaks

·      Visualize malaria mortality by regions

·      Use buffer analysis to identify affected populations

·      Participatory mapping for disease outbreaks

GENERAL NOTES

·      The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.

·      The participants should be reasonably proficient in English as all facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.

·      Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a certificate.

·      The training will be held at Kincaid Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments and lunch.

·      All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

·      Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training coordinator at Email: training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org or Tel: +254 724592901

·      This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our Kincaid Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254 724592901 or send mail to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org

Payments are due upon registration. Payment should be sent to our Bank account before commencement of training and proof of payment sent to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org