Efficient Real-Time Water Monitoring for Schistosomiasis Control with a Fourier Network

Schistosomiasis remains a significant public health challenge in Africa, where it is considered endemic, particularly in areas with inadequate access to clean water. This study focuses on mitigating the spread of schistosomiasis by monitoring the physicochemical parameters of water sources to detect the proliferation of infected snails, which serve as the intermediate host for the parasite. We propose a system that leverages sensing technology to monitor water physicochemical parameters, e.g., temperature (Temp), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) and uses AI to predict their future values, alongside the dynamics of the infected snail population, which are crucial for schistosomiasis transmission. By forecasting these trends, the system facilitates proactive interventions, such as water treatment and sanitation improvements. To accomplish this, we leverage FNet, a model that effectively captures temporal features through discrete Fourier transforms (DFT), delivering Transformer-level accuracy while being more resource-efficient. While FNet is originally tailored for language processing tasks, we adapt it for time series analysis by employing a quantization technique. This approach is particularly advantageous in contexts where computational and operational efficiency is critical, making it well-suited for environments with limited infrastructure or financial flexibility. Our evaluation demonstrates that the FNet model outperforms transformers in terms of resource efficiency while maintaining similar performance, making it a promising tool for real-time monitoring and early detection of schistosomiasis risk. The results highlight the potential of this approach to enhance disease control efforts and contribute to improved public health outcomes in endemic regions.