Association of Short-Term Exposure to Meteorological Factors and Risk of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Zhihui Liu, Yongna Meng, Hao Xiang, Yuanan Lu and Suyang Liu
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Zhihui Liu: Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
Yongna Meng: Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
Hao Xiang: Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
Yuanan Lu: Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Suyang Liu: Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: (1) Background: Inconsistencies were observed in studies on the relationship between short-term exposure to meteorological factors and the risk of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to assess the overall effects of meteorological factors on the incidence of HFMD to help clarify these inconsistencies and serve as a piece of evidence for policy makers to determine relevant risk factors. (2) Methods: Articles published as of 24 October 2020, were searched in the four databases, namely, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and MEDLINE. We applied a meta-analysis to assess the impact of ambient temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed, and sunshine duration on the incidence of HFMD. We conducted subgroup analyses by exposure metrics, exposure time resolution, regional climate, national income level, gender, and age as a way to seek the source of heterogeneity. (3) Results: Screening by the given inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 28 studies were included in the analysis. We observed that the incidence of HFMD based on the single-day lag model is significantly associated with ambient temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and wind speed. In the cumulative lag model, ambient temperature and relative humidity significantly increased the incidence of HFMD as well. Subgroup analysis showed that extremely high temperature and relative humidity significantly increased the risk of HFMD. Temperate regions, high-income countries, and children under five years old are major risk factors for HFMD. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that various meteorological factors can increase the incidence of HFMD. Therefore, the general public, especially susceptible populations, should pay close attention to weather changes and take protective measures in advance.

Keywords: hand, foot, and mouth disease; infectious disease; meteorological factors; ambient temperature; relative humidity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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