[Using spatial autocorrelation analysis to study spatial heterogeneity of liver cancer in Guangxi].
OBJECTIVE
To study the spatial distribution characteristics of liver cancer in Guangxi so as to provide evidence for the development of control and prevention on liver cancer.


METHODS
The average eight year morbidity was computed, using the rates of liver cancer in 2000-2007. The spatial statistics module of GIS was used to conduct spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the disease mapping was drawn, using the Map Info 8.0 software.


RESULTS
The average morbidity rate was clustered in Guangxi in the past eight years, with Moran's I index as 0.34 and P value below 0.01. G index appeared to be 0.77 and the P value was below 0.01. Moran's I correlogram lifted up in four spaces, specifically, the cluster took place in both macro-scale (one to three spatial intervals, 45 to 135 km real scale) and micro-scale (16 to 18 spatial intervals, 720 to 800 km real scale). When the spatial interval became 14 and real scale was 60 km, the spatial distribution of liver cancer showed the most intensive autocorrelation. Most of the regions with high morbidity would be clustered in the southwest and southern parts, along the coastal areas of Guangxi while the regions with low morbidity clustered in the northern part of Guangxi.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver cancer was found un-randomly distributed and geographically clustered in Guangxi in 2000-2007.
Tang
Xian-yan
XY
Public Health School of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
Huang
Tian-ren
TR
Zhu
Xiao-dong
XD
Hu
Mao-qiong
MQ
Xu
Jing
J
Zhou
Hong-xia
HX
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016008:Statistical Distributions