Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the epidemic trends and spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in China in recent years, and to provide a reference for its precise prevention and control. Methods Data on reported cases of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in China （not including Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan regions of China） were collected through the Infectious Diseases Surveillance System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System from 2018 to 2023. The trend in the incidence rate was analyzed using the Joinpoint 4.9.1 software. Global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses at the county level were conducted using the ArcGIS 10.5 software. Spatiotemporal scanning analysis was carried out with the SaTScan 10.1.2 software. Results The reported incidence rates of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection slightly declined from 12.66 per 100 000 in 2018 to 12.45 per 100 000 in 2023, with an average annual percent change of -1.42%, which was not statistically significant （t = -1.14, P = 0.318）. The reported incidence rates of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection at the county level in China showed a significant positive global spatial autocorrelation, with the global Moran′s indices ranging from 0.68 to 0.74 （all P < 0.001）; the standardized statistic Z （G） values for the Getis-Ord general G were all greater than 1.96, indicating a high-value clustering pattern. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that hotspot areas were predominantly located in southern and eastern China. In the spatiotemporal scanning analysis, 38 statistically significant spatiotemporal clusters were identified, mainly distributed in southern and eastern China and consistent with the hotspot areas. Conclusions From 2018 to 2023, the reported incidence rates of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection showed a slight decline, and the epidemic exhibited spatiotemporal clustering characteristics in China. Targeted prevention and control measures need to be implemented in hotspot areas and spatiotemporal clusters.

Key words: Chlamydia trachomatis, Incidence, Genital tract, Epidemic trend, Spatiotemporal analysis