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Salari N, Kanjoori AH, Hosseinian-Far A, Hasheminezhad R, Mansouri K, Mohammadi M. Global prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:57. [PMID: 37231463 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01107-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis is a bacterial infectious disease, which affects different parts of a human body, mainly lungs and can lead to the patient's death. The aim of this study is to investigate the global prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis using a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS In this study, the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar repositories were systematically searched to find studies reporting the global prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis. The search did not entail a lower time limit, and articles published up until August 2022 were considered. Random effects model was used to perform the analysis. The heterogeneity of the studies was examined with the I2 test. Data analysis was conducted within the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. RESULTS In the review of 148 studies with a sample size of 318,430 people, the I2 index showed high heterogeneity (I2 = 99.6), and accordingly random effects method was used to analyze the results. Publication bias was also examined using the Begg and Mazumdar correlation test which indicated the existence of publication bias in the studies (P = 0.008). According to our meta-analysis, the global pooled prevalence of multi-drug resistant TB is 11.6% (95% CI: 9.1-14.5%). CONCLUSIONS The global prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis was found to be very high, thus health authorities should consider ways to control and manage the disease to prevent a wider spread of tuberculosis and potentially subsequent deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Salari
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Kanjoori
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Amin Hosseinian-Far
- Department of Business Systems & Operations, University of Northampton, Northampton, UK
| | - Razie Hasheminezhad
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Kamran Mansouri
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Masoud Mohammadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran.
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Sy KTL, Leavitt SV, de Vos M, Dolby T, Bor J, Horsburgh CR, Warren RM, Streicher EM, Jenkins HE, Jacobson KR. Spatial heterogeneity of extensively drug resistant-tuberculosis in Western Cape Province, South Africa. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10844. [PMID: 35760977 PMCID: PMC9237070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14581-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading infectious disease killer globally. Treatment outcomes are especially poor among people with extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB, until recently defined as rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB with resistance to an aminoglycoside (amikacin) and a fluoroquinolone (ofloxacin). We used laboratory TB test results from Western Cape province, South Africa between 2012 and 2015 to identify XDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB (RR-TB with resistance to one second-line drug) spatial hotspots. We mapped the percentage and count of individuals with RR-TB that had XDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB across the province and in Cape Town, as well as amikacin-resistant and ofloxacin-resistant TB. We found the percentage of pre-XDR-TB and the count of XDR-TB/pre-XDR-TB highly heterogeneous with geographic hotspots within RR-TB high burden areas, and found hotspots in both percentage and count of amikacin-resistant and ofloxacin-resistant TB. The spatial distribution of percentage ofloxacin-resistant TB hotspots was similar to XDR-TB hotspots, suggesting that fluoroquinolone-resistace is often the first step to additional resistance. Our work shows that interventions used to reduce XDR-TB incidence may need to be targeted within spatial locations of RR-TB, and further research is required to understand underlying drivers of XDR-TB transmission in these locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Therese L Sy
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah V Leavitt
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaretha de Vos
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tania Dolby
- National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacob Bor
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - C Robert Horsburgh
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robin M Warren
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth M Streicher
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research/South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helen E Jenkins
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen R Jacobson
- Section of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Gieschen A, Ansell J, Calabrese R, Martin-Barragan B. Modeling Antimicrobial Prescriptions in Scotland: A Spatiotemporal Clustering Approach. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2022; 42:830-853. [PMID: 34296462 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In 2016, the British government acknowledged the importance of reducing antimicrobial prescriptions to avoid the long-term harmful effects of overprescription. Prescription needs are highly dependent on the factors that have a spatiotemporal component, such as bacterial outbreaks and urban densities. In this context, density-based clustering algorithms are flexible tools to analyze data by searching for group structures and therefore identifying peer groups of GPs with similar behavior. The case of Scotland presents an additional challenge due to the diversity of population densities under the area of study. We propose here a spatiotemporal clustering approach for modeling the behavior of antimicrobial prescriptions in Scotland. Particularly, we consider the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise algorithm (DBSCAN) due to its ability to include both spatial and temporal data. We extend this approach into two directions. For the temporal analysis, we use dynamic time warping to measure the dissimilarity between time series while taking into account effects such as seasonality. For the spatial component, we propose a new way of weighting spatial distances with continuous weights derived from a Kernel density estimation-based process. This makes our approach suitable for cases with different local densities, which presents a well-known challenge for the original DBSCAN. We apply our approach to antibiotic prescription data in Scotland, demonstrating how the findings can be used to compare antimicrobial prescription behavior within a group of similar peers and detect regions of extreme behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Gieschen
- University of Edinburgh Business School, 29 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9JS, UK
| | - Jake Ansell
- University of Edinburgh Business School, 29 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9JS, UK
| | - Raffaella Calabrese
- University of Edinburgh Business School, 29 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9JS, UK
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Moore HE, Hill B, Siriwardena N, Law G, Thomas C, Gussy M, Spaight R, Tanser F. An exploration of factors characterising unusual spatial clusters of COVID-19 cases in the East Midlands region, UK: A geospatial analysis of ambulance 999 data. LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 2022; 219:104299. [PMID: 34744229 PMCID: PMC8559787 DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Complex interactions between physical landscapes and social factors increase vulnerability to emerging infections and their sequelae. Relative vulnerability to severe illness and/or death (VSID) depends on risk and extent of exposure to a virus and underlying health susceptibility. Identifying vulnerable communities and the regions they inhabit in real time is essential for effective rapid response to a new pandemic, such as COVID-19. In the period between first confirmed cases and the introduction of widespread community testing, ambulance records of suspected severe illness from COVID-19 could be used to identify vulnerable communities and regions and rapidly appraise factors that may explain VSID. We analyse the spatial distribution of more than 10,000 suspected severe COVID-19 cases using records of provisional diagnoses made by trained paramedics attending medical emergencies. We identify 13 clusters of severe illness likely related to COVID-19 occurring in the East Midlands of the UK and present an in-depth analysis of those clusters, including urban and rural dynamics, the physical characteristics of landscapes, and socio-economic conditions. Our findings suggest that the dynamics of VSID vary depending on wider geographic location. Vulnerable communities and regions occur in more deprived urban centres as well as more affluent peri-urban and rural areas. This methodology could contribute to the development of a rapid national response to support vulnerable communities during emerging pandemics in real time to save lives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bartholomew Hill
- EDGE Consortium Affiliates, UK
- Loughborourgh University Water Engineering and Development Centre, UK
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Mashamba MA, Tanser F, Afagbedzi S, Beke A. Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Clusters in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, 2013-2016: A Spatial Analysis. Trop Med Int Health 2021; 27:185-191. [PMID: 34873790 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify spatial clusters with unusually high levels of MDR-TB which are highly unlikely to have arisen by chance in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. METHODS Home addresses of all MDR-TB patients were collected from four MDR-TB facilities from 2013 to 2016. We mapped all addresses, linking them to the nearest ward with population estimates. A spatial analysis was conducted using kernel density in ArcGIS to estimate and map the distribution of the disease and used Gertis-Ord Gi to test for significant clustering. RESULTS A total of 4,065 MDR-TB patients were mapped. Ten significant clusters (p-value < 0.05) were found across the province in six sub-districts: Mbombela, Nkomazi, Emalahleni, Govan Mbeki, Lekwa and Mkhondo. Mbombela has the highest number of significant clusters. The central region did not have any MDR-TB clusters. CONCLUSION There is clear evidence of MDR-TB clustering in Mpumalanga. This calls for concentrated TB prevention efforts and proper allocation of resources. Further investigations are needed to identify MDR-TB predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Mashamba
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - F Tanser
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.,Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - S Afagbedzi
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana
| | - A Beke
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
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Alene KA, Xu Z, Bai L, Yi H, Tan Y, Gray D, Viney K, Clements AC. Spatial clustering of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Hunan province, China: an ecological study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e043685. [PMID: 33795303 PMCID: PMC8021748 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Hunan province, China. METHODS An ecological study was conducted using DR-TB data collected from the Tuberculosis Control Institute of Hunan Province between 2012 and 2018. Spatial clustering of DR-TB was explored using the Getis-Ord statistic. A Poisson regression model was fitted with a conditional autoregressive prior structure, and with posterior parameters estimated using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation, to quantify associations with possible risk factors and identify clusters of high DR-TB risk. RESULTS A total of 2649 DR-TB patients were reported to Hunan TB Control Institute between 2012 and 2018. The majority of the patients were male (74.8%, n=1983) and had a history of TB treatment (88.53%, n=2345). The proportion of extensively DR-TB among all DR-TB was 3.3% (95% CI 2.7% to 4.1%), which increased from 2.8% in 2012 to 4.4% in 2018. Of 1287 DR-TB patients with registered treatment outcomes, 434 (33.8%) were cured, 198 (15.3%) completed treatment, 92 (7.1%) died, 108 (8.3%) had treatment failure and 455 (35.3%) were lost to follow-up. Half (50.9%, n=655) had poor treatment outcomes. The annual cumulative incidence rate of notified DR-TB increased over time from 0.25 per 100 000 people in 2012 to 0.83 per 100 000 people in 2018. Substantial spatial heterogeneity was observed, and hotspots were detected in counties located in the North and East parts of Hunan province. The cumulative incidence of notified DR-TB was significantly associated with urban communities. CONCLUSION The annual incidence of notified DR-TB increased over time in Hunan province. Spatial clustering of DR-TB was detected and significantly associated with urbanisation. This finding suggests that targeting interventions to the highest risk areas and population groups would be effective in reducing the burden and ongoing transmission of DR-TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kefyalew Addis Alene
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Zuhui Xu
- Department of Tuberculosis Control, Tuberculosis Control Institute of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liqiong Bai
- Department of Director's Office, Hunan Tuberculosis Control Institute, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hengzhong Yi
- Department of MDR-TB, Internal Medicine, Hunan Chest Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yunhong Tan
- Department of MDR-TB, Internal Medicine, Hunan Chest Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Darren Gray
- Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Kerri Viney
- Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Archie Ca Clements
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
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Mzembe T, Lessells R, Karat AS, Randera-Rees S, Edwards A, Khan P, Tomita A, Tanser F, Baisley K, Grant AD. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection Among Adolescents in Rural South Africa. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofaa520. [PMID: 33511219 PMCID: PMC7814392 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to estimate the prevalence of and explore risk factors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among adolescents in a high tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence setting. METHODS A cross-sectional study of adolescents (10-19 years) randomly selected from a demographic surveillance area (DSA) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We determined M tuberculosis infection status using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold-plus assay. We used HIV data from the DSA to estimate community-level adult HIV prevalence and random-effects logistic regression to identify risk factors for TB infection. RESULTS We enrolled 1094 adolescents (548 [50.1%] female); M tuberculosis infection prevalence (weighted for nonresponse by age, sex, and urban/rural residence) was 23.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.6-25.6%). Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.10-1.71, for increasing age-group [12-14, 15-17, and 18-19 vs 10-11 years]), ever (vs never) having a household TB contact (aOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.25-3.64), and increasing community-level HIV prevalence (aOR, 1.43 and 95% CI, 1.07-1.92, for increasing HIV prevalence category [25%-34.9%, 35%-44.9%, ≥45% vs <25%]). CONCLUSIONS Our data support prioritizing TB prevention and care activities in TB-affected households and high HIV prevalence communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Themba Mzembe
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Richard Lessells
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), UKZN, Durban, South Africa
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anita Edwards
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Palwasha Khan
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Interactive Research and Development, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Andrew Tomita
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), UKZN, Durban, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Lincoln Institute for Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Ongaya K, Aturinde A, Farnaghi M, Mansourian A, Maiga G, Oyo B, Bagarukayo E. Spatiotemporal Analysis of Nodding Syndrome in Northern Uganda 1990-2014. Health (London) 2020. [DOI: 10.4236/health.2020.122015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Space-time clustering of recently-diagnosed tuberculosis and impact of ART scale-up: Evidence from an HIV hyper-endemic rural South African population. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10724. [PMID: 31341191 PMCID: PMC6656755 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46455-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In HIV hyperendemic sub-Saharan African communities, particularly in southern Africa, the likelihood of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030 is low, due to lack of cost-effective and practical interventions in population settings. We used one of Africa’s largest population-based prospective cohorts from rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, to measure the spatial variations in the prevalence of recently-diagnosed TB disease, and to quantify the impact of community coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on recently-diagnosed TB disease. We collected data on TB disease episodes from a population-based sample of 41,812 adult individuals between 2009 and 2015. Spatial clusters (‘hotspots’) of recently-diagnosed TB were identified using a space-time scan statistic. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the relationship between community ART coverage and recently-diagnosed TB. Spatial clusters of recently-diagnosed TB were identified in a region characterized by a high prevalence of HIV and population movement. Every percentage increase in ART coverage was associated with a 2% decrease in the odds of recently-diagnosed TB (aOR = 0.98, 95% CI:0.97–0.99). We identified for the first time the clear occurrence of recently-diagnosed TB hotspots, and quantified potential benefit of increased community ART coverage in lowering tuberculosis, highlighting the need to prioritize the expansion of such effective population interventions targeting high-risk areas.
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Aturinde A, Farnaghi M, Pilesjö P, Mansourian A. Spatial analysis of HIV-TB co-clustering in Uganda. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:612. [PMID: 31299907 PMCID: PMC6625059 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4246-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death for individuals infected with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Conversely, HIV is the most important risk factor in the progression of TB from the latent to the active status. In order to manage this double epidemic situation, an integrated approach that includes HIV management in TB patients was proposed by the World Health Organization and was implemented in Uganda (one of the countries endemic with both diseases). To enable targeted intervention using the integrated approach, areas with high disease prevalence rates for TB and HIV need to be identified first. However, there is no such study in Uganda, addressing the joint spatial patterns of these two diseases. METHODS This study uses global Moran's index, spatial scan statistics and bivariate global and local Moran's indices to investigate the geographical clustering patterns of both diseases, as individuals and as combined. The data used are TB and HIV case data for 2015, 2016 and 2017 obtained from the District Health Information Software 2 system, housed and maintained by the Ministry of Health, Uganda. RESULTS Results from this analysis show that while TB and HIV diseases are highly correlated (55-76%), they exhibit relatively different spatial clustering patterns across Uganda. The joint TB/HIV prevalence shows consistent hotspot clusters around districts surrounding Lake Victoria as well as northern Uganda. These two clusters could be linked to the presence of high HIV prevalence among the fishing communities of Lake Victoria and the presence of refugees and internally displaced people camps, respectively. The consistent cold spot observed in eastern Uganda and around Kasese could be explained by low HIV prevalence in communities with circumcision tradition. CONCLUSIONS This study makes a significant contribution to TB/HIV public health bodies around Uganda by identifying areas with high joint disease burden, in the light of TB/HIV co-infection. It, thus, provides a valuable starting point for an informed and targeted intervention, as a positive step towards a TB and HIV-AIDS free community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustus Aturinde
- GIS Centre, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
- College of Computing and Information Science, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Lands and Architectural Studies, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mahdi Farnaghi
- GIS Centre, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Petter Pilesjö
- GIS Centre, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
- Centre for Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, Sölvegatan 10, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ali Mansourian
- GIS Centre, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
- Centre for Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, Sölvegatan 10, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
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