Spatial analysis on birth defects in Guangxi based on geographic information system

  Objective  To understand the spatial distribution of the incidence of birth defects in Guangxi, and provide scientific evidences for the prevention and control of birth defects.

  Methods  The spatial database of birth defects of Guangxi from 2016 to 2020 was established and used for the spatial analyses. The Kriging interpolation was used to plot the map of birth defects in Guangxi. And then the trend surface analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis and hotspot analysis were conducted to understand the spatial distribution of the incidence of birth defects.

  Results  The trend surface analysis showed that the incidence of birth defects increased first and then decreased from west to east and from north to south. The global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that there was a positive spatial autocorrelation in the incidence of birth defects (Moran's I=0.308, Z=6.066, P<0.001). The local spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the incidence of birth defects showed High-High and High-Low spatial clustering patterns (Z>1.96, P<0.05) in Guangxi. The hot spot analysis showed that the incidence of birth defects had both hot spots and cold spots (Z>1.65, P<0.10) in Guangxi.

  Conclusion  The obvious spatial distribution of the incidence of birth defects was observed in Guangxi, and the incidences were high in some counties or districts. So, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of birth defects in these areas.