[Analysis on the relationship between malaria epidemics and NOAA-AVHRR NDVI in Hainan province].

Objective: To explore the relationship between malaria epidemics and NOAA-AVHRR NDVI.

Methods: Data on malaria were collected in all 19 counties in Hainan province from Feb, 1995 to Jan, 1996. Values regarding normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-related indicators including mean and maximum values of NDVI, the area proportion of NDVI values of 145- and 145+, months with NDVI values of 135+, 140+, 145+, 150+ of these counties in this period were all extracted from NOAA-AVHRR images, using ERDAS8.5 software. The coefficients of correlation of malaria incidences and these NDVI-related indicator values were then calculated with SPSS 11.0.

Results: The incidence of malaria showed positive correlations to mean and maximum values of NDVI, the area proportion of NDVI values of 145+ and months with NDVI values of 135+, 140+, 145+, 150+ respectively, but having negative correlation to the area of NDVI values of 145-. The malaria epidemic regions were in accordance with those regions that the NDVI values of 145+ were continuing for 9 months or more.

Conclusion: Malaria prevalence was associated with NOAA-AVHRR NDVI value which could be considered to be use for malaria surveillance in Hainan province.