Spatial-temporal Distribution of Tuberculosis Infections in Rivers State from 2009-2018

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis has remained a disease of public health importance and one of the leading global public health problems. It accounts for more years of healthy potential life lost with a high case fatality rate. This study aims to determine the spatial-temporal distribution of tuberculosis infections in Rivers State from 2009-2018. Methods: It was an ecological time-series study of tuberculosis infections in the local government areas of Rivers State. Data were extracted from National Tuberculosis, Buruli ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme Rivers state. ArcGIS Desktop version 10.5 was used for the spatial and spatial-temporal analyses. The temporal analysis was done using time series plots. Results: There were 22,446 cases of TB infections from January 2009- December 2018. Most of the cases were in the age group 25-34 years 5,436 (24.22%). TB incidence for all forms of TB was 287 per 100 000. The temporal trend of TB incidence in Rivers State showed an upward trend with two peaks in 2012 and 2018. The trend of HIV/TB co-infection had a peak in 2010 and 2014, between 2016 and 2017 it remained stationary and made a downward decline in 2018 However, the trend in the sex and age group showed an upward and downward trend at different times. There were consistently very high clusters of TB infections in 17% of the LGAs - Ahoada East, Khana, Obio/Akpor, and Port Harcourt LGAs and these clusters increased over the study period. Conclusion: There were very high clusters of Tuberculosis infections in 17% of the LGAs of Rivers State which include Ahoada East, Khana, Obio/Akpor, and Port Harcourt. There was an upward trend in TB infections within the study period. Therefore, there should be targeted interventions at these local government areas to help reduce the spread of Tuberculosis.