Epidemiological characteristics of hand, foot, and mouth disease cases in Ho Chi Minh City, 2022 - 2023

Abstract

The study conducted a cross - sectional data description to analyze some epidemiological characteristics of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Ho Chi Minh City during the period from January 2022 to July 2023. The study population included 27,634 HFMD patients residing in the city. The analysis revealed that the age group between 1 to less than 3 years old had the highest proportion of HFMD patients. There was a higher prevalence of the disease among males (58.1%) compared to females. Most patients presented with mild clinical grades 1 and 2a, and complications/co infections were recorded in only 0.69% of patients, with upper and lower respiratory tract infections being the most common manifestations. Large public healthcare facilities received the majority of HFMD cases for treatment. Geographical analysis showed that suburban areas had a higher disease incidence compared to urban areas. Over time, HFMD cases were reported throughout the year, with the peak in May 2022, and a concerning increase observed in 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The study’s results provide essential insights into the changing patterns of HFMD in the city in 2023, highlighting important issues that need consideration and improvement for the control and prevention of the disease in the future.