Spatiotemporal analysis of brucellosis cases in Golestan province from 2015 to 2017 years using Geographic Information System

Brucellosis is one of the most prevalent bacterial zoonotic diseases considered as a public health problem in Golestan province (north-east of Iran), but its spatial pattern remains unclear. Hence we evaluated the spatial analysis of brucellosis disease in Golestan province during 2015-2017. In this study, we explored the Spatial and Spatiotemporal clusters by using scan-statistic to consider influencing factors. In addition, logistic regression and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to analyze the clusters' zones and compare them with others. We used GIS to determine unites' (Golestan cities) coordinate centers and visualize the location of the clusters. Results revealed that the geographical distribution of brucellosis in Golestan province was affected by several spatial and spatiotemporal clusters. Constituent units of both spatial and spatiotemporal clusters were the same, but the identified time period of spatiotemporal clusters was from January 2015 to June 2016. The main influencing factors were in contact with livestock and dairy hygiene. This study can assist health authorities to plan more effectively to control diseases by highlighting the high-risk areas and behaviors.