Abstract:

Objective To analyze the incidence and epidemic trend of hepatitis E in Guangxi for evidence to formulate prevention and control of hepatitis E in the future. Methods The data of reported cases of hepatitis E in Guangxi from 2011 to 2021 were collected through the Infectious Disease Surveillance System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The reported cases were defined as the population who were currently living Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Descriptive epidemiology was used to analyze the distribution characteristics of reported cases in region, time and population. Results A total of 14 699 cases of hepatitis E were reported in Guangxi from 2011 to 2021, with an average annual incidence of 2.75/100 000. The lowest reported incidence was 1.73/100 000 in 2020, and the highest reported incidence was 3.27/100 000 in 2016. The top five areas with higher average incidence were Yulin (5.22/100 000), Fangchenggang (4.23/100 000), Wuzhou (3.94/100 000), Guigang (3.93/100 000) and Guilin (3.48/100 000). The month with the highest number of reported cases was March (1 854 cases, 12.61%), and the number of reported cases in the first half of the year (8 498 cases) was slightly higher than that in the second half of the year (6 201 cases).There were 10 309 male cases and 4 390 female cases, with a male to female ratio of 2.35∶1, the average annual reported incidence rates of male and female were 3.76/100 000 and 1.73/100 000, respectively. The disease occurred in any age group, and with the increase of age, the incidence of hepatitis E in Guangxi showed a upward trend. The highest incidence was in the 50-59 age group (3 507 cases, 23.86%). In the occupational distribution, farmers had the largest number of cases (9 726 cases, 66.17%). Conclusion In recent years, the incidence of hepatitis E in Guangxi has generally increased first and then decreased. Yulin and other cities are the high-risk areas. Men, farmers, middle-aged and the old are the high-risk groups. These findings suggest that we should further strengthen the monitoring of key areas and key populations, and actively carry out health promotion to reduce the harm of hepatitis E to the masses.

Key words: Hepatitis E, Epidemiological characteristics, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region