Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Tuberculosis in the Regions Supervised by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2006-2012

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to identify the spatial distribution of tuberculosis and determine the TB control program parameters in the regions supervised by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2006-2012.

Methods: The present ecological study was performed on 1797 TB patients in Shiraz University in 2006-2012 which were recorded by health centers using TB Register software. The study data were collected through over-counting and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software (ver. 19). Besides, the maps were drawn by ArcGIS, version 10.

Results: The incidence rate of TB was 4.8 in 100,000 at the end of 2012. Success in treatment was adequate only in 2012 (89.7%). However, recovery of pulmonary TB was not adequate in any of the study years. In our study, the majority of the patients belonged to the 25-34 years age group that constitutes the active faction of the society.  Moreover, the maps provided by GIS showed a high incidence rate of extra pulmonary TB in Firozabad Township during 7 years (2.7 in 100000 populations).

Conclusion: Incidence of TB in the regions supervised by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences follows a specific pattern, which requires exclusive studies for further evaluation of the incidence determinatives in various environmental and social conditions.