Analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Zhongshan City from 2013 to 2018

Objective  To analyze the temporal-spatial clustering of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in Zhongshan City from 2013 to 2018, so as to provide a theoretical basis for prevention and control of HFMD. Methods  The epidemic data of HFMD in Zhongshan City from 2013 to 2018 was collected. Combining spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial-temporal scanning to realize spatial-temporal analysis, and visualize the analysis results. Results  A total of 97 214 cases of HFMD were reported in Zhongshan City from 2013 to 2018, with an average annual incidence of 493.40/100 000. Children aged 0-5 years old accounted for 95.38% of the total cases. The distribution over time was obviously bimodal. Spatial autocorrelation analysis results showed that there was an obvious positive spatial correlation in HFMD incidence from 2015 to 2016. High risk clusterings were detect by year-by-year time-space scanning from 2013 to 2018, mainly in the suburban border towns on the west side of the central city. The high-incidence aggregation period was basically consistent with the trend of the incidence curve. Conclusions  A certain characteristic of spatiotemporal clustering is shown in the HFMD incidence in Zhongshan City from 2013 to 2018. The clustering degree is higher at the turn of spring and summer, summer and autumn. And future prevention and control work should be strengthen at that time..