ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hookworm infections among vegetable growers in Anhui Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategy and interventions for hookworm human infections.. Methods A total of 1 179 vegetable growers were randomly sampled from 7 counties in Anhui province according to the natural ecological function areas in 2018 and 2019, and the basic features and risk factors of hookworm infections were collected from all subjects using a self-designed questionnaire, including living environment, vegetable planting and fertilization, type of household crops, animal feeding, hygiene and labor habits. In addition, stool samples were collected from all participants, and each stool sample was subjected to twice tests with the Kato-Katz technique. The risk factors of hookworm infections were identified among vegetable growers with the Bayesian log-binomial regression model. Results The prevalence of hookworm infection was 3.90% among the 1 179 vegetable growers. The prevalence of hookworm infection was 10.07% (15/149) among unemployed subjects, 5.32% (31/583) among farmers, and 0 among full-time vegetable growers (0/377) and subjects with other occupations (0/70), and there was a significant difference among subjects in terms of occupation (χ2=36.37, P < 0.01). Bayesian log-binomial regression analysis showed that fertilization with human feces [relative risk (RR)=18.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): (4.31, 77.17)], barefoot labor in vegetable fields [RR=2.86, 95% CI: (1.43, 5.70)], and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River [RR=4.19, 95% CI: (1.19, 14.81)] were independent risk factors of hookworm infections among vegetable growers. Stratified analysis showed that fertilization with human feces, barefoot labor in vegetable fields, drinking well water or mountain spring, and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were independent risk factors of hookw, orm infection among farmers, and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and growing rice were independent risk factors of hookw, orm infection among unemployed individuals. Conclusions The prevalence of hookworm infection is high among vegetable growers in Anhui Province, and fertilization with human feces, barefoot labor in vegetable fields and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are risk factors of hookw, orm infections among vegetable growers.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the status of Cryptosporidium infection in the population in the local area of Anhui Prov?ince,and discuss the risk factors of the infection,so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and treatment of cryptosporidi?osis. Methods Qianshan County and Lingbi County of Anhui Province were selected as investigation spots,and the oocysts of Cryptosporidium in the feces of the investigation objects and the specific IgG antibody against Cryptosporidium in the serum were checked by using the pathogenic modified acid fast staining method and ELISA,respectively,so as to determine the status of Cryptosporidium infection in these investigation objects. At the same time,the questionnaire surveys were conducted in the inves?tigation objects so as to know about the risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection. Results A total of 668 people were investigat?ed in the two counties,635 people received etiological examinations,and 15 people were positive with the positive rate of 2.36%;642 people received serological examinations,and 140 people were positive with the positive rate of 21.81%;628 peo?ple received pathogenic and serological examinations at the same time,and the examination results of the both methods showed that 12 people were positive(there were 4 people in Qianshan County and 8 people in Lingbi County),and the positive rate was 1.94%. The rates of Cryptosporidium infection in the population of Qianshan County and Lingbi County were 1.24%(4/322)and 2.71%(8/295)respectively,and the difference had no statistical significance(P>0.05). The single factor analysis found that the rate of Cryptosporidium infection was higher in the children and diarrhea patients;the multivariate logistics regression analy?sis indicated that the rate of Cryptosporidium infection was higher in the people who bred poultry and the diarrhea patients. Con?clusions The positive rate of serum antibody of Cryptosporidium in the population of the local area of Anhui Province is higher, which indicates that the previous infection is serious,and the rate of Cryptosporidium infection in human is relative to the age, diarrhea and whether there are poultries to be bred in the family,which is worthy of attention in the future prevention and treat?ment.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the factors that influence the medical cost of advanced schistosomiasis patients in Anhui Province.Methods The medical records and other related data were collected from 13 pilot hospitals in Anhui Province.Single factor analysis and multiple regression methods on 264 cases of medical cost were used for the analysis.Results The results of single factor analysis showed that the history of ascites,ascites and concomitant diseases for advanced schistosomiasis medical cost had significant differences(P