Prevalent features of hepatitis E among residents in Wuhan from 2001 to 2010

Objective To analyze the incidence and epidemiological trend of hepatitis E(HE)among residents in Wuhan from 2001 to 2010.Methods Descriptive epidemiological and correlation analytical methods were used.Results Totally 5 011 cases of HE were reported in Wuhan from 2001 to 2010,with an average incidence of 6.20 per 100 000 and a downward trend(χ²=836.53,P<0.001).No obvious seasonal distribution was observed for the reported HE cases,but the incidence was relatively higher in winter and spring.The average incidence of HE was higher in the urban than in the rural(χ²=1 284.65,P<0.001).The incidence of HE increased with the increment of age(r=0.816,P< 0.001)and was the highest in the risidents aged 55 to 84 years,and higher in male than in female(χ²=848.01, P< 0.001).Among the all cases,retirees accounted for 28.46 percent and workers were 16.74 percent.Conclusion In recent years,the incidence of HE was high among the residents in Wuhan city and was higher in urban residents,male population,retirees,and the people aged over fifty.