Detecting the association between meteorological factors and hand, foot, and mouth disease using spatial panel data models

SummaryObjectivesThe aim of this study was to quantify the relationship between meteorological factors and the occurrence of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) among children in Shandong Province, China, at a county level, using spatial panel data models.MethodsDescriptive analysis was applied to describe the epidemic characteristics of HFMD from January 2008 to December 2012, and then a global autocorrelation statistic (Moran's I) was used to detect the spatial autocorrelation of HFMD in each year. Finally, spatial panel data models were performed to explore the association between the incidence of HFMD and meteorological factors.ResultsMoran's I at the county level were high, from 0.30 to 0.45 (p