Abstract
The US-Mexico region is at high risk of elevated tuberculosis (TB) incidence due to mobility and migration. Knowledge of how socio-demographic factors varies geographically, provides clues to understanding the determinants of tuberculosis and may provide guidance for regional prevention and control strategies to improve public health in Mexico. The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiologic characteristics and spatial patterns of the incidence of tuberculosis in Tonala, Jalisco (Mexico) from 2013-2015. The Surveillance System Database from the Health Department, complemented by information from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, was used to obtain data for a spatial-temporal analysis of TB cases. For the geographical analysis map creation and geoinformation storing, ArcGIS software was used. This study sought to characterize problem areas and jurisdictional locations of TB via a spatial approach based on analyses of case distributions and individual patient variables. The study found that tuberculosis cases were dispersed throughout Tonala County and were mainly concentrated on the Guadalajara city border. The TB cases were mainly individuals between 31 and 45 years old. Most of the cases reported during the observation period were male patients, and most cases primarily had lung involvement; however, there were quite a few cases with lymph node and intestinal disease. Our findings show that TB cases are essentially located in areas close to the city of Guadalajara and that most TB cases were pulmonary cases spread throughout the whole jurisdiction.
Highlights
The US-Mexico region is at high risk of elevated tuberculosis (TB) incidence due to mobility and migration
We describe the epidemiologic characteristics and spatial patterns of the incidence of tuberculosis in Tonala, Jalisco (Mexico), from 2013-2015
In 2010, 6.8 percent of the Tonala population lived in extreme poverty, and in 2015, it decreased to 3.9 percent of the Tonala population, which is equivalent to 21,008 people living in extreme poverty [12]
Summary
The US-Mexico region is at high risk of elevated tuberculosis (TB) incidence due to mobility and migration. The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiologic characteristics and spatial patterns of the incidence of tuberculosis in Tonala, Jalisco (Mexico) from 2013-2015. Results: This study sought to characterize problem areas and jurisdictional locations of TB via a spatial approach based on analyses of case distributions and individual patient variables. The study found that tuberculosis cases were dispersed throughout Tonala County and were mainly concentrated on the Guadalajara city border. In Mexico, tuberculosis has become a serious public health problem, mainly due to the appearance of multidrugresistant strains (MDR) and comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus. Several studies have used GIS as a strategy for the jurisdictional characterization of TB patterns by evaluating disease concentration case responses and designing strategies for TB control [2,3]. Health departments are developing many diverse approaches that may influence decision makers
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