Objective: To explore the spatial distribution and pattern of advanced schistosomiasis in Anxiang County so as to provide the evidence for improving advanced schistosomiasis control.
Methods: Based on the geographic database of advanced schistosomiasis distribution at the village level in Anxiang County, Hunan Province, the spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial scan statistics were applied to analyze the spatial characteristics of distribution of advanced schistosomiasis.
Results: The global Moran's I of prevalence rate of advanced schistosomiasis was 0.06 (P > 0.05) and there was no spatial auto-correlation as a whole. The local spatial auto-correlation analysis showed that there were 9 villages with statistically significant LISA value (P < 0.05), among which existed high-high, low-high and high-low types of auto-correlation model. The results of SaTScan statistics was the same as local spatial auto-correlation analysis and showed the existence of one cluster area.
Conclusions: There are local spatial auto-correlation and spatial aggregation of advanced schistosomiasis in Anxiang County. According to the distribution characteristics, we can assign resource more reasonably and control schistosomiasis more effectively.