Risk Assessment and Factors Associated with Lung Cancer using GIS in Mae Ka Subdistrict, Muang District, Phayao Province, Thailand

Abstract

Cancer is a major health problem in the developing countries. Variations of its incidence rate among geographical areas are due to various contributing factors. This study was performed to assess the spatial patterns of lung cancer incidence in the Mae Ka subdistrict, Muang district, Phayao province, based on lung cancer registry data and to determine geographical clusters. In this cross-sectional study, the cases of lung cancer were recorded from 2015 to 2020. Crude incidence rate was estimated based on age groups and sex in the province of the Mae Ka subdistrict. It uses spatial autocorrelation analysis (SAA) techniques to provide insight into the patterns, in terms of their geographical distributions and hotspot identification. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed in measuring the geographic patterns and clusters using GIS. In addition, local indicators of spatial association (LISA) and kernel density (KD) estimation were used to detect lung cancer hotspots using data at village level. Factors associated with the incidence of lung cancer was analyzed for behavior risk factors. Analysis of the spatial distribution of lung cancer shows significant differences from year to year and between different areas. The hotspot maps showed spatial trend patterns of lung cancer diffusion. Villages in the northern part revealed higher incidence. Furthermore, the spatial patterns during the years 2015, 2017 and 2019 were found to represent spatially clustered patterns, both at global and local scales. However, a clear spatial autocorrelation is observed, which can be of grate interest and importance to researchers for future epidemiological studies, and to policymakers for applying preventive measures.