Spatiotemporal analysis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the central region of the Zhejiang Province, China (2016–2024)

In total, 17,298 active PTB cases were registered between 2016 and 2024, including 9,749 laboratory-confirmed and 7,549 clinically diagnosed cases. The male-to-female ratio was 2.34:1. Farmers represented 68.2% of all cases. The PTB notification incidence showed a gradual decline. Spatial autocorrelation results revealed 52 sub-districts with high-high clusters over the nine-year period, primarily in Shengzhou and Xinchang counties. Spatiotemporal scan analysis identified one primary cluster area (<i>RR</i> = 1.62, <i>LLR</i> = 170.87, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and two secondary clusters between 2016 and 2024. The incidence of PTB in Shaoxing City showed a downward trend, though the decline was relatively slow. The southeastern region should be prioritized in efforts to accelerate the End TB Strategy. Overall, comprehensive and intensive interventions, such as large-scale chest X-ray screening and health education programs, should be enhanced to effectively curb PTB transmission, especially among males and farmers.