Epidemiological characteristics of other infectious diarrhea and its long-term change trend in Taizhou, Zhejiang, 2012−2022

Objective To explore the epidemiological characteristics of other infectious diarrhea and its long−term change trend in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, from 2012 to 2022, and provide evidence for the surveillance, prevention and control of other infectious diarrhea.

Methods The incidence data of other infectious diarrhea in Taizhou from 2012 to 2022 were collected from China Disease Control and Prevention Information System for a descriptive epidemiological analysis. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to analyze the changes in the incidence of other infectious diarrhea in Taizhou during this period.

Results A total of 144 460 cases of other infectious diarrhea were reported in Taizhou from 2012 to 2022 without death. The annual reported incidence rate was 212.74/100 000. The annual reported incidence was 231.26/100 000 in men and 192.94/100 000 in women, the difference was significant (P<0.001). The incidence showed a certain seasonal distribution, which began to increase around November and peaked in January, and gradually decreased to a sub−peak in summer. The cases were reported in 9 counties, in which 30 972, 20 975 and 19 025 cases were reported in Wenling, Linhai and Xianju, accounting for 49.12% of the total reported cases. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the reported overall incidence rate fluctuated during 2012−2022, increasing firstly during 2012−2017 without significance annual percent change(APC)=2.68%, P=0.539, then decreasing during 2017−2022 with significance (APC=−15.14%, P= 0.015), indicating that the reported overall incidence from 2012 to 2022 showed a decreasing trend (average annual percent change=−6.66%, P=0.030).

Conclusion The incidence of other infectious diarrhea in Taizhou showed a decreasing trend from 2012 to 2022, but it was still at a high level, suggesting that comprehensive prevention and control measures should be taken actively.