Land Use Patterns Reveal Urban TB Hotspots: A Spatial-Temporal Study in Penang, Malaysia

Arab world geographer 2026

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Authors: Nur Afiqah Ariffin, Wan Mohd Muhiyuddin Wan Ibrahim, Ruslan Rainis, Yaniza Shaira Zakaria, Azizul Ahmad, Mohd Zulhafiz Said
DOI: 10.64903/1480-6800-29.3.242
Cited by: 1

Abstract

In rapidly urbanizing Penang, Malaysia, tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical public health threat. We spatially mapped 4,015 cases (2015–2017) to link disease hotspots with land use. GIS-based spatial statistics (Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi*) revealed significant clustering in densely populated districts. Hotspots in George Town aligned with residential, commercial, and transit corridors, underscoring how population density and mobility shape urban TB transmission. Integrating this spatial perspective into surveillance and planning enables targeted interventions. Our findings demonstrate the value of geography-informed strategies for controlling TB in rapidly evolving cities.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology Data-Driven Disease Surveillance Malaria Research and Control

Publication details

Journal / source
Arab world geographer
Publisher
Geo Publishing
Volume
29
Issue
3
Pages
242–264
Publication date
1 January 2026