Preliminary analysis of socioeconomic variable correlation with geospatial modeling in Costa Rica dengue epidemics

Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted disease that affects more than 5 million people worldwide. It is endemic in more than 100 countries and it has presence in 5 continents. Understanding the dynamics of dengue epidemics is crucial in reducing the massive public health impact this disease has. However, dengue is a complex phenomenon. There are many variables that contribute to the spread of the virus and the interconnection of those variables is not clear. We set out to explore the correlation of socioeconomic variables in dengue epidemics by using a geospatial model. Our study is centered in Costa Rica, a country with a repeated affectation by the virus. We found a possible relationship between number of dengue cases and some socioeconomic variables (dwellings with water pipes, location of work), which open the gates to consider including them in a more sophisticated epidemiological model.