Spatial Temporal clustering of tuberculosis in students in Chongqing, 2014–2019

  Objective  To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial-temporal distribution of registered tuberculosis (TB) cases in students in Chongqing from 2014 to 2019 and provide evidence for TB prevention and control.

  Methods  The data of registered TB cases in students in Chongqing from 2014 to 2019 were collected from national information system for disease prevention and control. Software arcgis10.3 was used for global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses and software SaTScan 9.6 was used to detect the spatiotemporal clustering of TB cases.

  Results  The average annual registration rate of TB in students in Chongqing was 30.23/100000 during 2014−2019, showing a downward trend. The annual TB registration rate in men was significantly higher than that in women, the difference was significant（χ²=82.336, P<0.001）. The average annual registration rate in senior high school was highest (81.05/100000). The spatial correlation analysis showed that the annual registration rate of TB in students in different areas had positive spatial correlation with significance (P<0.05). Local autocorrelation analysis showed that the TB registration rate in students showed high-high and low-low clustering, the difference was significant (P<0.05). The results of spatial-temporal scanning showed that the annual highly possible clustering area was in southeastern Chongqing (P<0.05). The clustering time has gradually shifted from the first half of a year to the second half of a year.

  Conclusion  Southeastern Chongqing has the highest burden of TB in students and is a high-risk clustering area. These findings can be used as evidence for the development intervention strategies for TB prevention and control in students in Chongqing.