ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by a slow-growing bacterium called mycobacterium TB. TB most often affects the lungs and is now the most deadly infectious disease killer globally. Despite the medical advances made during the 20th century in the curative treatment and implementation prevention strategies, TB remains a public health problem in Cameroon.Purpose: This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of smear positive TB in Bafoussam town, strongly marked by promiscuity and pollution of various origins.Materials and Methods: Data used here derive from a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Bafoussam in 2011. Both literature review and field investigations were undertaken using a questionnaire survey.Results: Analysis of the spatial distribution of smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB) in Bafoussam highlights the existence of PTB cases clusters in some city health areas. Those clusters were favored by risk factors such as precariousness of housing, poverty, dwellings’ overcrowding, smoking, alcoholism, late treatment of patients, difficulties of access to health care, and ignorance of TB by infected persons.Conclusion: Routine use of cluster detection techniques as part of routine surveillance of TB in Cameroon through TB risk mapping and increased public awareness of TB among TB populations would help to better target the fight against TB