Spatio-temporal distribution analysis of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qom Province, Iran

Abstract

Geographic information system (GIS) nowadays is one of the most helpful epidemiological tools for identifying the high risk areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study was conducted to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of CL in Qom province during 2009-2017. In a crosssectional study, for the survey of spatial dispersion of CL in the study region, the incidence rate of disease was calculated in all of 23 villages during 2009-2017. Then, spatial analysis of the infection was performed using two methods: spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) in order to determine the special distribution pattern of disease and Kriging method to reveal high risk areas for disease. The incidence of CL in Qom province has been decreasing as of 2009-2015 and increasing in 2015-2017. The highest incidence was stated in 2009 (36.5 per 100,000) and the least was reported in 2015 (13.3 per 100,000). The Moran autocorrelation index revealed that the study area has a cluster pattern. The temporal distribution of disease incidence showed that northeast, southwest and northwest parts of Qom province involved highest incidence of CL in 90% significant level. Leishmaniasis incidence is a function of spatial and geographical trends, thus spatial variations of the infection incidence illustrate that the incidence rate does not increase or decrease from one region to another intensively. The results of this study indicate that marking high risk areas using spatial analysis can be helpful as a main tool in CL control and prevention.

Impact of Environmental and Climate Factors on Spatial Distribution of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Iran: Utilizing Remote Sensing

“…Iran’s geographic and climatic conditions are suitable for the growth of sand flies as vectors of ZCL, and rodents as reservoirs of disease ( 3 , 9 ). This zoonotic disease is more prevalent in plain regions in central areas of Iran; such as Qom province ( 10 ) and in the old texture of the towns ( 11 , 12 ). Nowadays, ZCL has endemic foci in 17 provinces of 31 provinces in Iran, such as the three studied provinces (North Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan) ( 13 – 15 ).…”

Spatial distribution of vaccine-preventable diseases in central Iran in 2015–2018: A GIS-based study

“…Moreover, Salimi et al. investigated the spatio-temporal distribution analysis of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qom Province [ 24 ]. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the spatial distribution of VPDs in Qom Province by GIS from 2015 to 2018.…”

Spatiotemporal Variability of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Based on Sociodemographic Heterogeneity. The Case of Northeastern Iran, 2011–2016

“…Identifying high-risk areas concerning susceptible groups can be applied as a substantial guideline for local health authorities to make a more equitable allocation of health facilities during ZCL epidemic, resulting in controlling and reducing the severity of the outbreak. Extensive studies regarding ZCL have examined exclusively spatial and temporal heterogeneities of patients and have not explicitly investigated spatiotemporal disparities in clusters according to sociodemographic information of cases (16,(24)(25)(26).…”