[Spatial-temporal analysis on pulmonary tuberculosis in Beijing during 2005-2015].

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Spatial Analysis

Background:

• Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern globally and in urban centers.
• Understanding the spatial distribution and identifying high-risk areas are crucial for targeted TB control strategies.
• Beijing, a major metropolis, requires detailed analysis of TB incidence patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the spatial distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis at the township level in Beijing from 2005 to 2015.
• To identify high-risk areas and spatiotemporal clusters of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence.
• To inform public health interventions for TB control in Beijing.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the tuberculosis information management system for cases between 2005 and 2015.
• Applied global autocorrelation (Moran's I), local indicators of spatial association, and Kulldorff's Scan Statistics.
• Mapped spatial distribution and detected spatiotemporal clusters of pulmonary tuberculosis cases.

Main Results:

• Positive spatial autocorrelation of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence was observed (Moran's I: 0.2243–0.2918, P < 0.05).
• Identified 8 primary hotspot townships/streets, including areas in Mentougou, Fangshan, Fengtai, Xicheng, and Shunyi districts.
• Detected a significant spatiotemporal cluster in Chaoyang and Shunyi districts during 2005, encompassing 17 towns/streets.

Conclusions:

• Pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in Beijing exhibits significant spatial and temporal clustering at the township level.
• High-risk areas are concentrated in the central and southern parts of Beijing.
• Findings support the need for geographically targeted TB prevention and control programs.