Spatial distribution of tuberculosis in Hunan province between 2012-2013:analysis with geographic information system

Objective To explore spatial distribution characteristics of tuberculosis(TB)in Hunan province from 2012 to 2013 using geographic information system(GIS)for identifying key areas of TB prevention and optimal allocation of public health resources in Hunan province.Methods The data on TB morbidity from January 2012 through December 2013 in Hunan province were collected.The spatial distribution map for reported TB cases was built by using the software GIS 10.2.Spatial autocorrelation and trend surface analysis were applied to explore aggregation and hot region of TB incidence.Results The registration rate of smear-positive TB was 406/100000 and 364/100000 for the year of 2012 and 2013 in Hunan province,respectively.Global spatial autocorrelation showed that there was a spatial aggregation in TB incidence in Hunan province(2012:Moran'I index=0.86,Z=17.89,P<0.05;2013:Moran'I index=0.58,Z=12.06,P<0.05).Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the patients were highly aggregated in 11 and 10 counties in 2012 and 2013.Trend surface analysis showed that the overall TB distribution was decreased linearly from the west to the east of Hunan province,and an U-type curve could be used to describe the TB distribution from the south to the north.Conclusion TB patients were highly aggregated in 11 and 10 counties in 2012 and 2013,and TB incidence in western region was higher than in eastern region,while the incidence was higher in south and north region than in central region in Hunan province.