[Application of saTScan in detection of schistosomiasis clusters in marshland and lake areas].

OBJECTIVE:To detect the schistosomiasis clusters in marshland and lake areas in 2008, so as to provide the reference for schistosomiasis control and the methodology for detection of cluster areas of related diseases. METHODS:SaTScan was used to detect the schistosomiasis clusters based on the spatial database from GIS and related variables, including the number of current patients and population in endemic areas. RESULTS:A total of 5 clusters including 39 counties (districts) were detected by SaTScan, the RRs and the Log-likelihood ratios of 3 clusters among them were over 3 and 1 000 (P < 0.05), respectively. The one with the highest RR and Log-likelihood ratio was located in the boundary of Hubei and Hunan provinces, and the cluster range there was the biggest. From there to the downstream of the Yangtze River, the area and RRs of the 5 clusters became smaller and smaller. CONCLUSION:The 5 provinces in the marshland and lake areas are still the key spatial clusters of schistosomiasis, especially near the boundary of Hubei and Hunan provinces.