Validation of three geolocation strategies for health-facility attendees for research and public health surveillance in a rural setting in western Kenya

STRESMAN, G. H.; STEVENSON, J. C.; OWAGA, C.; MARUBE, E.; ANYANGO, C.; DRAKELEY, C.; BOUSEMA, T.; COX, J.

The ideal geolocation approach in a rural setting will ultimately depend on the information available, the objectives, whether it be monitoring for epidemics or planning for disease control interventions, and the required spatial precision/accuracy. The geocoding approach requires that an accurate and up-to-date list of names of compound heads is available, which is unlikely to be the case outside areas of active community-based research. The geocoding approach also relies on names recorded being complete and recorded consistently; a difficult task in busy facilities. There may also be challenges in obtaining correct information from people who may want to remain anonymous. Moreover, a systematic bias is inevitable as compounds whose head has a common name or is the head of multiple compounds will never be matched unless other variables are also considered. However, in areas where a complete database is available, through land registries for example, or if overall accuracy is less important, geocoding could provide a useful geolocation approach.