Pattern analysis of tempo-spatial distribution of schistosomiasis in marsh-land epidemic areas in stage of transmission control / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the tempo?spatial patterns of schistosomiasis in Jiangling County,Hubei Province,so as to identify the risk areas and provide the scientific evidence in following intervention plans for marshland epidemic areas in the stage of transmission control. Methods The schistosomiasis epidemiological data in Jiangling County from 2009 to 2013 to?gether with the related geographical information were collected and analyzed. The tempo?spatial distribution patterns were ana?lyzed by the spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial clustering analysis. Results The human infection rate was decreased from 2.15%in 2009 to 0.63%in 2013,which was the historically low level. The results of tempo?spatial analysis showed that there were spatial clustering effects in human schistosomiasis infection for each of the years. The values of spatial autocorrelation index Moran’s I were statistically significant. Eighteen and thirty?five clusters were detected by using SatScan and FlexScan soft?ware,respectively. Conclusions From 2009 to 2013,the schistosomiasis endemic situation in Jiangling County presented a decline trend and reached the historical low level. The identified spatial clustering areas should be targeted as the prioritized ar?eas for schistosomiasis control.