Mapping Isolation of Risk for Sporadic Conditions: Oral cellulitis in Western Australia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to apply geographic information system (GIS) models to predict risk of oral cellulitis. A risk isolation model using Western Australian real hospitalisation data for oral cellulitis from 1999 to 2009 (10 years), and socio-economic indicators, age and Indigenous status as risk indicators was developed. The fully integrated database was then computer geo-coded to allow the visualization of the data at three levels (core of the capital city Perth, Greater Metropolitan Perth, and State of Western Australia). Correlation coefficient analysis between the number of cases (over 10 years) and the relative risk location indicator was carried out. The GIS maps derived from application of the developed risk location indicator, demonstrate that the risk categorization paralleled the number of cases over the decade. Correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated moderate positive relationship (R2=0.55) between the number of cases (over 10 years) and the risk location indicator in metropolitan Perth.