Spatio-temporal Analysis of Myocardial Infarction in an Iranian Military Community During the Period 2015-2018

Background and Aim: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. This disease imposes a high socio-economic burden on patients. Since the Spatio-temporal analysis of diseases plays an essential role in the design of prevention and management programs. The present study aimed to identify regional clusters of MI and also analyze the time trend of the disease among an Iranian military community. Methods: In this ecological study, all registered cases of MI from different provincial centers of the military community were studied during the period 2015 to 2018. The Getis-Ord Gi statistics were used to identify the hot spots of MI and the Spearman correlation coefficient to the trend of the disease. Results: The incident cases of MI in military officers and conscripts during the study period were 103 and 4, respectively. Gilan and Golestan provinces (90% confidence level) in 2015, Gilan, Golestan, Semnan, and Zanjan provinces (95% CI) and Isfahan province (90% CI) in 2016, Golestan province (95% CI), and Gilan province (90% CI) in 1396 and Golestan province (95% CI) in 1397 were identified as hot spots of the disease. The results of the temporal analysis also indicated a significant increasing trend of MI in military officers. Conclusion: The Northern regions of Iran are at high risk of MI, and the trend of the disease also demonstrates a significant increase. The findings of this study can be considered in policymaking in the field of public health of military communities for control strategies and preventive programs. In future studies, the risk factors and non-ecological parameters should be addressed in hotspot regions.