Multiple correspondence analysis as a tool for analysis of large health surveys in African settings

Background

More than two thirds of the total population of Ethiopia is estimated to be at risk of malaria. Therefore, malaria is the leading public health problem in Ethiopia.

Objective

To investigate the determinants of malaria Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT) result and the association between socio-economic, demographic and geographic factors.

Method

The study used data from household cluster malaria survey which was conducted from December 2006 to January 2007. A total of 224 clusters of about 25 households each were selected from the Amhara, Oromiya and Southern Nation Nationalities and People (SNNP) regions of Ethiopia. A multiple correspondence analysis was used to jointly analyse malaria RDT result, socio-economic, demographic and geographic factors.

Results

The result from multiple correspondence analysis shows that there is association between malaria RDT result and different socio-economic, demographic and geographic variables.

Conclusion

There is an indication that some socio-economic, demographic and geographic factors have joint effects. It is important to confirm the association between socio-economic, demographic and geographic factors using advanced statistical techniques.