Objectives To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of HFMD.

Methods Descriptive epidemiology was used to analyze the spatial, temporal and population distribution and etiological characteristics of HFMD.

Results The prevalence of HFMD was in an increasing trend year-by-year in the Huichuan district of Zunyi. The prevalence of HFMD was in a characteristic of obvious seasonal variation, with a peak at the transition period from spring to summer and that from autumn to winter. The prevalence of HFMD in different age groups was statistically different(χ²=1.581, P < 0.05). The prevalence of HFMD among children less than 5 year-old was the highest (91.0%), the prevalence in boys was higher than that in girls(χ²=10.727, P < 0.05), and the prevalence was higher in urban areas than that in rural areas(χ²=14.564, P < 0.05).The pathogens in etiological detection were dominated by other enteroviruses(χ²=26.714, P < 0.05), pathogens were detected most in children less than 5 year-old (93.5%), and 1 to 4 year-old children were the high-risk group (87.0%).

Conclusions The prevalence of HFMD was in an increasing trend, the high-risk group was children less than 5 year-old. There was a serious impact of HFMD on the health of preschool children. Corresponding preventive and control measures should be drawn up according to the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD; and monitoring, propagation and education should be strengthened.