Risk factors of hand, foot and mouth disease in scattered children in the northern area of Guangzhou

Abstract

Objective To analyze the risk factors of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in scattered children in the northern area of Guangzhou, and provide scientific evidences for HFMD control and prevention. Methods The questionnaire survey of risk factors was conducted in scattered children from May to July 2017 in the northern part of Guangzhou city by case-control study. The study included 462 confirmed HFMD cases and 485 healthy children. Non-conditional logistic regression was used for multiple factors analysis. Results Multiple factors analysis showed that family having other children in kindergarten (OR=2.621, 95% CI: 1.829-3.755) , children had contacted with HFMD cases within 2 weeks before the disease onset (OR=29.285, 95% CI: 11.421-75.092) , had contacted with herpangina cases (OR=8.223, 95%CI: 3.275-20.647) , had played in public facilities (OR=2.488, 95% CI: 1.821-3.399) , had received transfusion (OR=4.216, 95% CI: 1.510-11.770) , and had visited emergency department in the hospital (OR=4.203 95%CI: 2.003-8.816) were risk factors of HFMD. Children living in city area (OR=0.369, 95%CI: 0.027-0.502) , permanent resident population (OR=0.022, 95%CI: 0.003-0.167) , and children had contacted with flu cases within 2 weeks before the disease onset (OR=8.657, 95% CI: 0.364-0.817) were protective factors of HFMD. Conclusions Children who contact with HFMD or herpangina cases, play in public facilities, visit emergency department in the hospital or receive infusion are risk factors of HFMD. Home quarantine after onset of HFMD and herpangina; cleaning and disinfection in public places and medical institutions; health education of HFMD prevention in county and migrant population are key prevention measures of HFMD in scattered children. Key words: Hand, foot and mouth disease; Scattered children; Risk factors