Abstract:
Objective To understand the spatiotemporal distribution and incidence trends of diarrhoea syndrome in Anhui province from 2015 to 2023, and provide evidence for development of targeted prevention and control measures.
Methods The incidence data of diarrhoea syndrome in Anhui from 2015 to 2023 were collected from Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention for the descriptive analyses on the incidence of diarrhoea syndrome. A Joinpoint regression model was constructed by using software Joinpoint 5.0.2 to analyze the incidence trend. ArcMap 10.8 was applied to explore the spatial clustering of diarrhoea syndrome in counties of Anhui from 2015 to 2023. Additionally, the status of diarrhoea syndrome caused by five pathogens, including Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, Shigella, and norovirus, was described.
Results From 2015 to 2023, a total of 822 220 cases of diarrhoea syndrome were reported in Anhui, with the highest incidence rate in 2023 (196.43/100 000) and the lowest incidence rate in 2015 (52.14/100 000). The annual incidence peak usually occurred between June and August. The incidence rate exhibited a significant upward trend annual percent change (APC)=58.08%, 95% CI: 31.47%~90.08%, P=0.002 from 2015 to 2017, but a slow increase from 2017 to 2023 (APC=4.77%, 95% CI: 1.56%~8.09%, P=0.014). Spatial analysis revealed significant clustering of cases across all the counties in Anhui during the study period (Moran's I>0, Z-score >1.96), with high-high clustering areas distributing in southern Anhui. Diarrheagenic E. coli was predominantly detected in northern Anhui, whereas Shigella was rarely detected in other areas besides northern Anhui. Norovirus and Salmonella were more frequently detected in southern Anhui, which became the predominant pathogens during 2019−2023.
Conclusion There was spatial clustering of diarrhoea syndrome incidence in Anhui, and the distribution of the pathogens varied greatly in different areas. Targeted prevention and control measures should be taken to control the spread of the disease.