Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology as a Tool to Identify Geospatial Distribution of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases in Bangalore, South India

Background Geographic Information System GIS technology offers a promising approach for visualizing disease distribution patterns thereby enhancing tuberculosis TB surveillance resource allocation and the planning of targeted interventions.Aim The objective of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of GIS in mapping the geospatial distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis cases within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike BBMP area of Bengaluru and to analyze associated trends clustering patterns and demographic characteristics.Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out across all 198 BBMP wards. Data were obtained from the NIKSHAY portal for TB patients registered between January and June 2020. GIS mapping was performed using QGIS software based on the PIN codes of patientsrsquo residences. Analyses included drug resistance patterns treatment outcomes demographic details and the spatial distribution of TB cases.Results A total of 1498 pulmonary tuberculosis cases were mapped. The mean age of patients was 38.4 years and the majority 63 were male. Spatial analysis identified clustering in specific wards particularly wards 134 136 141 and 157. Around 73.2 of all TB cases were newly diagnosed. Drug resistance to isoniazid andor rifampicin was the most common form of drug-resistant TB detected in 115 patients 7.7. A declining trend in case registrations was observed during the study period likely due to COVID-19 pandemic related disruptions.Conclusion GIS is a useful tool for TB control enabling the identification of drug-resistance clusters and high-burden areas. These spatial insights support strengthened surveillance targeted public health interventions and effective resource allocation contributing to improved efforts to contain TB.