Georeferencing of tuberculosis and its relationship to social determinants in a Colombian city (2012-2019)

Abstract

Introduction: tuberculosis is a significant public health challenge and is the second cause of infectious mortality worldwide. It mainly affects low-income countries. In Colombia, high social inequality (34.7% poverty – 14.28% with unsatisfied basic needs, 3.8% in extreme poverty and 4.17% with overcrowding) potentiates these risks. The objective was to analyze the interaction between social determinants and tuberculosis.

Methods: this was a descriptive ecological study using geospatial analysis. It analyzed the geographical distribution of tuberculosis cases in Villavicencio, along with their relationship to sociodemographic determinants, using georeferencing tools, cluster analysis and spatial statistics.

Results: there were geographical clusters of tuberculosis cases associated with more densely populated areas, overcrowding, multidimensional poverty, informal settlements and migration. Areas adjacent to the Guatiquía and Ocoa Rivers concentrated the clusters with the highest incidence, correlated with social vulnerability settings.

Discussion: social determinants continue to play a central role in tuberculosis transmission. Factors like overcrowding, multidimensional poverty, forced migration, domestic violence, gaps in basic hygiene and limited access to healthcare services are associated with a higher burden of disease. These findings highlight the need for public health interventions targeting vulnerable populations and prospective studies to provide a more in-depth individualized analysis