An examination of the epidemiological features of hand, foot, and mouth disease in a Gansu Province city between 2014 and 2024

Objective To examine the epidemiological features of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Pingliang City, Gansu Province, between 2014 and 2024 in order to provide guidance for developing, putting into practice, and improving HFMD preventive and control policies and measures in Pingliang City. Methods Methods of descriptive epidemiology were used. From January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2024, data on HFMD cases in Pingliang City, Gansu Province, as well as yearly demographic data from every county and district were gathered. Excel and SPSS 27.0 software were used for data organization and χ 2 testing. Results From 2014 to 2024, a cumulative total of 4,641 HFMD cases were reported in Pingliang City, with an average annual incidence rate of 22.53 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence rate was recorded in 2017 (39.18 per 100,000), while the lowest occurred in 2022 (2.91 per 100,000). The incidence rate exhibited an overall upward trend, with statistically significant differences ( χ 2 = 1560.248, p < 0.001). The male-to-female ratio was 1.52:1, with males exhibiting a higher incidence rate (27.09 per 100,000) than females (17.96 per 100,000), a difference statistically significant ( χ 2 = 190.609, p < 0.001). The age distribution was concentrated among children aged five years and below (4,079 cases), accounting for 87.89% of all reported cases, with the highest proportion occurring among one-year-olds (1,442 cases, 31.07%). Occupational distribution primarily involved children living in scattered households, totalling 3,116 cases (67.14%). Pingliang City reported cases monthly, with a seasonal peak occurring between May and July. Regional distribution revealed the highest incidence rate in Jingchuan County (42.64 per 100,000), while Zhuanglang County recorded the lowest (14.81 per 100,000). Differences in HFMD incidence rates across counties were statistically significant ( χ 2 = 772.442, p < 0.001). Conclusion Children under five years of age living in scattered households remain a high-risk group for HFMD. Targeted preventive measures should be implemented for key populations, including public awareness campaigns, health education initiatives, and the promotion of vaccination to reduce incidence rates

Age groups · Disease · Epidemiological method · Prevalence · Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology · Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments · Viral Infections and Immunology Research · Epidemiology