Disease burden of acute gastroenteritis: a population-based survey in Kunshan, Jiangsu, 2013-2014

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of acute gastroenteritis and related social economic loss in Kunshan, Jiangsu province. Methods A retrospective face-to-face survey was conducted among the community population in Kunshan from May 2013 to April 2014 to obtain the information on acute gastroenteritis incidence, influencing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment as well as its economic loss. Results A total of 1200 interviews were conducted. The overall incidence of acute gastroenteritis was 3.5%(95% CI: 2.5%-4.5%). About 892 000 acute gastroenteritis cases occurred each year, and food-borne cases accounted for 31.9%. The incidence peaks were in spring and autumn. The risk to be affected by acute gastroenteritis is higher in people with low educational level, lower family income and living in rural area. Up to 76.2% of the patients went to see doctors, and among the patients seeking medical care, 37.5% sent stool samples. Among the patients receiving treatment, 76.2% used antibiotics. The overall economic loss caused by acute gastroenteritis was about 183 million yuan RMB, accounting for 0.67 of gross domestic product(GDP) in Kunshan in 2012(272 billion yuan RMB). Conclusion The social and economic burden caused by acute gastroenteritis in Kunshan was heavy. Children and people living in rural area are at high risk to be affected by acute gastroenteritis. It is necessary to establish and improve the active foodborne disease surveillance system and conduct targeted intervention.