Dr G. Edirisinghe
Department of Geography
University of Ruhuna
Dr G. Edirisinghe received her Ph.D from the University of Ruhuna and Mainz University, Germany in 2009 under the partial grants from NCAS granting programme. Her research topic, “Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Malaria in the Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka with Special Emphasis on Natural and Human Environmental Factors” were developed under the supervision of Prof. Upali Weerakkody, Department of Geography, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka and Prof. Manfred Domroes Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. She investigated spatial and temporal distribution of malaria and analyzed the environmental factors which could effect upon temporal variability giving attention to inter-annual and intra seasonal variation of malaria occurrence.
Research Abstract of PhD
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Malaria in the Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka with Special Emphasis on Natural and Human Environmental Factors
The objective of this study is to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of malaria in the Anuradhapura District with special emphasis on natural and human environmental factors. Environmental factors under the study are divided in to two categories, as natural and human. Natural environmental factors are of climatic in nature with all their various elements such as temperature, precipitation , topography, vegetation cover and hydrology (streams, rivers and reservoirs) while the human environmental factors include seasonal practices of agricultural systems together with irrigation, settlement patterns, migration, levels of education, income levels, human living conditions and living behaviors of the people. To fulfill the objective, primary data were collected by means of a household survey. Secondary data were obtained from various institutes concerned with malaria. Analysis of the data shows many patterns of malaria incidence associated with the natural and human environmental factors influencing the people subjected to occurrence of malaria in the area. The most influential factors can be identified depending on the analysis of monthly rainfall and the occurrence of malaria cases that exhibits a very positive relationship between them in all MOH areas in the District. Human environmental factors show some positive relationship with the malaria occurrence. It is important to note here that an integrated multiple approach is needed to minimize the distribution of malaria in an effective manner.