Determining Spatial Pattern of Tuberculosis by Geographical Information System in Guilan Province, 2005- 2011

Background and Tuberculosis (TB) is created by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Application of Geographical Information System (GIS) is of great benefit in understanding the geographical pattern of TB and strengthens its control programs. This study was performed in Guilan, Iran to determine the geographical pattern of TB in this province. The present ecological study was performed in 3027 TB patients in Guilan province in 2005-2011. Data was collected using complete enumeration and the maps were drawn by ArcGIS V.10. Among the cases 2152 (71.1%) had pulmonary tuberculosis and 875 patients (28.9%) had extra pulmonary tuberculosis. In the maps of county and villages, the highest average of 7-year incidence was observed in Siahkal. In our study GIS maps indicate a specific pattern in incidence of tuberculosis.