Abstract:
Objective To provide a reference for the scientific prevention and control of foodborne diarrhea among the 6–17 year-old population by analyzing the surveillance data of foodborne diarrhea cases in this age group from sentinel hospitals in Beijing from 2013 to 2022.
Methods The clinical information of foodborne diarrhea cases aged 6–17 years who visited 36 sentinel hospitals in Beijing from 2013 to 2022 was collected, and stool samples or anal swabs were collected for pathogen detection. The χ2 test was used for rate comparisons, and multivariate logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of pathogen infection.
Results From 2013 to 2022, a total of 2 128 foodborne diarrhea cases aged 6–17 years were reported by Beijing sentinel hospitals, with males outnumbering females (1.95:1). The number of cases was highest in the outer suburbs, accounting for 36.75% (782/2 128). The peak period for pathogen detection was from July to September each year, while norovirus was mostly detected in winter and spring. Logistic regression results showed that compared with the 15–17 year-old group, the 12–14 year-old group (OR=0.512, 95%CI: 0.326–0.804) had a lower risk of pathogen infection. Compared with the outer suburbs, the risk of pathogen infection was higher in urban areas (OR=1.447, 95%CI: 1.029–2.034) and inner suburbs (OR=1.543, 95%CI: 1.119–2.129). Summer (OR=7.674, 95%CI: 3.688–15.968) was the season with the highest risk of pathogen infection, and the inner suburbs (OR=3.348, 95%CI: 1.690–6.634) had the highest risk of norovirus detection. Cases with fever (OR=1.806, 95%CI: 1.358–2.403) and diarrhea ≥10 times/24 h (OR=1.832, 95%CI: 1.300–2.581) had a higher risk of pathogen infection. Cases with abdominal pain (OR=2.109, 95%CI: 1.146–3.881) and dehydration (OR=2.327, 95%CI: 1.146–3.881) had a higher risk of norovirus detection.
Conclusion From 2013 to 2022, foodborne diarrhea cases among the 6–17 year-old population in Beijing were predominantly male, with suburban areas being the key regions for prevention and control. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cases infected with different pathogens can be used to provide a basis for food safety and health education and clinical diagnosis.