Spatial Mapping and Analysis of Tuberculosis Cases in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the serious health problems in Malaysia, especially in a crowded area. This disease has become increasingly important as public health concerns with the development and progress that has been achieved in this country. Due to high number of cases reported each year, Malaysia should take precautionary actions to reduce the number of cases. Spatial analysis of TB cases can be performed using geospatial approach such as Geographical Information System (GIS). The aim of this study is to analyse the spatial distribution and identify spatial pattern of TB cases in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia. The high-risk area and spatial of the TB outbreak in KL were mapped using hot spot analysis. Spatial statistical methods were also used with Average Nearest Neighbor Distance and Spatial Autocorrelation (Moran I). The relationships between demographic distributions was analysed and the outbreak distribution pattern was also identified. The result shows that the main clustering area of tuberculosis cases in Kuala Lumpur is concentrated in Bandar Tun Razak. This main township is not only known as a crowded area, but it is also surrounded by a rapid physical urban development.