Objective To understand the spatiotemporal distribution of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged ≥50 years in Luzhou, Sichuan province, from 2011–2022, identify high-risk clustering areas of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases and provide a reference basis for the development of HIV/AIDS prevention and control strategies and the optimization of health resources.

Methods The data of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged ≥50 years in Luzhou from 2011 to 2022 were collected through the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System for descriptive analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis using software GeoDa and spatiotemporal scanning analysis using software SaTScan 10.1.2.

Results A total of 10 362 HIV/AIDS cases ≥50 years were newly reported in Luzhou from 2011 to 2022, and the newly reported HIV/AIDS infection rate showed an overall increasing trend, from 10.00/100 000 in 2011 to 151.42/100 000 in 2019. Spatial autocorrelation analyses showed a significant positive spatial correlation (Moran's I>0, P<0.001) for the newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in all years except 2011–2012, showing a clustering distribution in the area. The “high-high” clustering area of the cases shifted over time from the northern area to the central-eastern area. Spatiotemporal scanning analyses detected 2 clustering areas.

Conclusion The prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection varied in different areas of Luzhou and showed spatial clustering, so the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS should be based on the different spatiotemporal characteristics of the townships/streets, and it is necessary to improve the HIV/AIDS prevention and control strategies and the optimize the allocation of resources according to the local conditions in order to reduce the rapid increase of new cases of HIV/AIDS in the elderly.