Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemiological trends of scrub typhus in Linyi City, Shandong Province, from 2006 to 2019, and investigate its socioeconomic influencing factors.
METHODS The data on scrub typhus cases in Linyi City from 2006 to 2019 were sourced from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System of the Shandong Provincial, while demographic and socioeconomic data were obtained from the "Statistical Yearbook" published by the Linyi City Bureau of Statistics. Descriptive analysis and Joinpoint regression model were employed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trends in the incidence rate of scrub typhus. Principal component analysis was applied to reduce the dimensionality of socioeconomic variables, and a Bayesian spatiotemporal model was constructed to analyze their association with the incidence risk of scrub typhus.
RESULTS From 2006 to 2019, a total of 2 430 cases of scrub typhus were reported in Linyi City, with no deaths reported. The annual average incidence rate was 1.675/100 000. The top three counties (districts) with the highest incidence rates were Mengyin County (3.998/100 000), Tancheng County (3.754/100 000) and Lanling County (2.828/100 000). The incidence rate of scrub typhus in Linyi City showed an inflection point in 2016. From 2006 to 2016, the incidence rate showed an upward trend, with an annual percentage change (APC) of 23.96% (P < 0.001). From 2016 to 2019, the rate stabilized (APC=-18.63%, P=0.284). The disease showed seasonal increases, with high incidence from Sep. to Nov. Principal component analysis extracted three principal components (PCs). PC1 was mainly related to greening indicators and urban construction, PC2 to medical and health resources and PC3 to water and gas access rates. PC1 (RR=1.226.95%CI: 1.024-1.432) and PC2 (RR=1.422.95%CI: 1.137-1.733) were positively correlated with the incidence risk of scrub typhus, while PC3 (RR=0.760.95%CI: 0.640-0.900) was negatively correlated with the incidence risk.
CONCLUSIONS The incidence rate of scrub typhus in Linyi City shows an upward trend before 2016, but stabilizes after 2016, with a high incidence during autumn and winter. The incidence risk of scrub typhus is influenced by various socioeconomic factors. Improvements in basic sanitation conditions, such as access to clean water sources and the widespread use of gas, can reduce the incidence risk, while the expansion of green spaces and urban construction may increase the incidence risk of scrub typhus.