SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF CERVICAL CANCER INCIDENCE IN IRAQ DURING 2010-2015

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Iraq. This study aimed to examine the spatial pattern and high-risk clusters of cervical cancer in different areas of Iraq (except the Kurdish region) during the period 2010-2015. The age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs), age-specific incidence rates (ASIRs), and annual percent changes (APCs) were calculated for 2010–2015. We used three techniques of spatial statistical analysis which are Global spatial autocorrelation, Getis-Ord Gi* statistic, and Anselin Local Moran’s statistic to investigate spatial clustering and outliers. Over the period 2000-2015, 1037 cases were diagnosed with AAIR of incidence of (3.521 per 100,000). Depending on AAIRs, we found cervical cancer incidence was highest (8.212 per 100,000) in the age group of 60-69 years old. The APC of cervical cancer age-specific rates has significantly risen for the age groups 60-69 only. We identified spatial high-risk clusters for incidence. The cluster was mainly located in the center of Iraq (Baghdad, Najaf, Kerbala, and Babil provinces), the central-eastern part of Iraq (Diyala province), and the southern part of Iraq (Basrah province). While the provinces in the northern and northeastern parts of Iraq, as well as the western province, had relatively lower AAIRs from cervical cancer. A spatial cluster pattern for the incidence of cervical cancer in Iraq was revealed, which will be valuable for improving the allocation of health resources in Iraq.