Spatial distribution patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in Zhejiang province:spatial autocorrelation analysis

Objective To explore the spatial distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis in Zhejiang province,and to provide evidence for control and prevention of pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods The data of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in 90 counties(districts) in Zhejiang province in 2004 were obtained from the Tuberculosis Surveillance System.Based on the same county field in digital map and pulmonary tuberculosis incidence database,digital map of Zhejiang province was interrelated with the database of province pulmonary tuberculosis incidence to establish Zhejiang geographic information systemdatabase.The spatial autocorrelation with Getis-Ord Gi statistics and local Getis-Ord Gi statistics were analyzed with ArcGIS 9.2 software.Results With Getis-Ord Gi statistics,the spatial clustering of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in 2004 in Zhejiang province was identified(Getis-Ord Gi=0.073 4,P=0.008 4).Local Getis-Ord Gi statistics analysis showed that there were statistically significant hotspots in Wenzhou region,and there were statistically significant coldspots in Ningbo region in 2004.Conclusion Pulmonary tuberculosis in Zhejinag province distributed unrandomly and clustered geographically.The corresponding prevention and control measures should be made according to the geographical distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis.