Geospatial Malaria Risk Mapping: Assessing Environmental Determinants in Argoba Woreda, Ethiopia

Abstract

Even though it affects many, malaria still causes major health issues in Ethiopia - especially in Argoba Woreda, where nature plays a big role in how the disease spreads. Instead of relying only on traditional methods, this work uses satellite images and digital mapping tools to spot places more likely to have outbreaks. Elevation matters a lot; lowland villages including Gobera and Chomiye see far more sickness compared to spots up high. Temperature patterns, land shape, closeness to rivers or lakes, rain levels, and greenness of plants help show which zones face greater danger. Rather than using one source alone, the analysis combines interviews with local workers, household feedback, official records, and space-based observations. Areas sitting higher places such as Amoye Serte and Kilkilo tend to stay safer because conditions there slow down infection cycles. While some communities struggle year after year, others remain relatively untouched thanks to their surroundings. High up places shaped where malaria spread most, making up 37 percent of the danger - temperature came next at 25 percent. More than seven out of ten parts of the woreda landed in risky or extremely risky categories, once the layers were weighed together. Where greenness dropped, malaria risk climbed sharply, showing how closely they move opposite each other across space. Mapping these patterns helps fit prevention work to actual ground conditions, using location data wisely. That final picture of risk isn’t just lines on a screen - it guides real choices in villages needing focused health efforts.