To investigate epidemiological characteristics and trends of gonorrhea in China, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of control strategies.

An epidemiological study was performed on gonorrhea cases reported from 31 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the central government between 2000 and 2014.

The reported incidence rate of gonorrhea decreased from 22.92 per 100 000 in 2000 to 7.25 per 100 000 in 2014, with the average annual rate of decrease being 7.89%. There was a significant difference in the incidence of gonorrhea between different regions. The regions with the highest incidence rate of gonorrhea were Yangtze River Delta region (Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu) and Zhujiang River Delta region (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan), followed by northwest China (Xinjiang, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia). The incidence of gonorrhea was higher in males than in females, and the average male/female ratio increased from 1.96∶1 in 2000 to 4.52∶1 in 2014. The population aged 20-44 years showed high incidence of gonorrhea, and the highest incidence rate of gonorrhea was observed in the age group 25-29 years in both men and women. The incidence of gonorrhea decreased in all the age groups from 2000 to 2014 except the age group 15-19 years with an annual growth rate of 4.18%. Of 20 occupations, peasant workers accounted for the highest proportion (26.00%) of reported gonorrhea cases, and the number of reported gonorrhea cases showed a decreasing trend in all the occupations.

Gonorrhea remains a major public health issue in China, and effective measures based on epidemiological features are urgently needed to control gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea; Epidemiologic study characteristics as topic; Incidence; China; Trends