Analysis on epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of other infectious diarrhea in Shandong, 2019−2023

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of other infectious diarrhea in Shandong province from 2019 to 2023, and provide reference for the development of prevention and control strategies.

Methods Data were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and descriptive epidemiological methods, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and spatiotemporal scanning were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of other infectious diarrhea in Shandong.

Results A total of 608 489 cases of other infectious diarrhea were reported in Shandong from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual incidence of 120.34/100 000. The cases were mainly farmers (235 623 cases), children living scatteredly (152 713 cases) and students (63 487 cases). The incidence peak was during June-August, and the sub-peak began to occur later in 2021 and merged with the summer peak in 2023. The confirmed cases were predominated by viral infections (15 013 cases, 94.13%). Weihai, Dongying, Jinan, Binzhou and Jining were the areas with high incidences. The results of global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the annual Moran's I index ranged from 0.18 to 0.29 (P < 0.05). The results of local spatial autocorrelation showed that the "high-high" clusters were mainly distributed in parts of Jinan, Binzhou, Weihai, and Jining. Spatiotemporal scanning analysis detected 1 Class I clustering area and 3 Class II clustering areas. The Class I clustering area was in the intersection areas of Jining and Tai'an (Relative Ratio, RR＝3.30, Log-likelihood Ratio, LLR＝5 651.65, P＜0.001).

Conclusion The incidence of other infectious diarrhea was high in Shandong from 2019 to 2023, and the sub-incidence peak gradually showed a late occurrence. Farmers and children living scatteredly were the high-risk groups, and the intensity of the epidemic varied with area. It is necessary to strengthen etiological surveillance and prevention and control of other infectious diarrhea in areas with high incidence and in populations at high risk.