[Epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of hepatitis E in Tianjin, 2015-2024]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of hepatitis E in Tianjin from 2015 to 2024, and provide scientific evidence for the development of targeted prevention and control strategies. Methods: The incidence data of hepatitis E reported in Tianjin from 2015 to 2024 were collected from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the incidence trend. GeoDA 1.14.0.0 software was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and software SaTScan 10.1 was used for spatiotemporal scanning analysis. Results: A total of 1 337 hepatitis E cases was reported in Tianjin from 2015 to 2024, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.90/100 000. The overall incidence showed stable fluctuation before 2020, and the annual incidence was high during February to May. The incidence was significantly higher in men (1.24/100 000) than in women (0.53/100 000) (χ²=207.86,P<0.001). A higher incidence was observed in age group ≥60 years (2.37/100 000). Global spatial autocorrelation was identified in 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023, and 2024 (P<0.001). High-high clustering areas were in Baodi, Hebei, Nankai, Hexi and Heping districts. Spatiotemporal scanning analysis identified five high-incidence clustering areas, with the first-level clustering area in Baodi, involving Jizhou, Wuqing, Beichen, Ninghe, and Hongqiao districts (RR=3.76, log-likelihood ratio=148.21, P<0.001). Conclusions: From 2015 to 2024, the incidence of hepatitis E in Tianjin showed an overall increasing trend with significant spatiotemporal clustering. The prevention and control of hepatitis E should be strengthened in populations at high risk, especially in those aged ≥60 years, and targeted intervention should be conducted for high incidence clusters in both central urban area and outer suburban area.