Incidence and geographical distribution of tuberculosis disease in Erbil city, Iraq

Objectives This study aimed to identify the geographical distribution of TB in Erbil city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, determine potential risk factors associated with TB distribution, and provide recommendations to improve TB control programs in the region. Methods The records of TB patients registered at the Chest and Respiratory Disease Center in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, from January 2012 to December 2016 were reviewed and analyzed. The number of cases by the quarter of residence within Erbil city were analyzed spatially and presented in an appropriate map. Results The estimated annual incidence of TB in Erbil city constantly increased from 16 per 100,000 inhabitants in the year 2012 to 21.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in the year 2016. Most of the TB cases were from the middle zone of Erbil city (44%), followed by the outer zone (43.8%) and the central zone (12.2%). The largest number of the cases were from Brayaty quarter (40), followed by Badawa (35) Nawroz (35) and Kurdistan (31) quarters. Clusters with a large number of cases were mainly located in the southern part of the city. Conclusion The estimated TB incidence constantly increased in Erbil city from 2012 to 2016. Mapping the distribution of TB cases in Erbil city provided useful information about the epidemiological situation of TB that can be used to direct future TB control strategies.