Abstract: Objective To investigate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening rates, infection prevalence, and spatiotemporal distribution patterns among pregnant women in Lanzhou from 2012 to 2020, providing data support and decision-making references for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV. Methods Data on HBV infection among pregnant women were extracted from the National Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and HBV Management Information System. Trend chi-square tests were used to analyze temporal changes in HBV screening rates and infection prevalence. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was conducted using GeoDa 1.22, and spatiotemporal scan analysis was performed with SaTScan 9.4 to identify clustering patterns. Results From 2012 to 2020, the HBV screening rate among pregnant women increased significantly from 86.52% to 99.09%, while the HBV infection rate exhibited a fluctuating decrease from 2.98% to 2.78% (all P<0.05). Global spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated no significant spatial clustering of HBV infections, suggesting a random distribution. Local autocorrelation identified one high-high cluster, one high-low cluster, and three low-high clusters. Spatiotemporal scan analysis detected one primary cluster (Class I) and seven secondary clusters (Class II). The primary cluster was located in Qilihe District (LLR=121.25, RR=1.57, P<0.05) during February 2012 to July 2014. Conclusions HBV screening coverage among pregnant women in Lanzhou improved steadily, with a declining trend in infection rates. Most regions showed no significant spatiotemporal clustering of HBV infections, indicating a random distribution. Strengthening health education on HBV prevention and expanding antiviral therapy for HBV-infected pregnant women are critical measures to further reduce MTCT of HBV.

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, Pregnant women, Spatial Autocorrelation, Spatiotemporal Distribution