ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To seek a rapid, simple, but effective inquiry method for screening high risk population challenged by schistosomiasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two embankment collapsed villages were selected in schistosomiasis epidemic area in Dongting Lake. Information on water exposure was collected through a retrospective study. Data was analyzed by stepwise discriminant analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A Fisher's function was established by stepwise discriminant analysis which including 5 variables out of 18. Two hundred and forty-six individuals were discriminated by the function with accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of predicting their current infection status with the results of 87.4%, 84.1% and 89.0% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The inquiry method might serve as simple, rapid, economic and effective tool for diagnosis in screening high risk population challenged by schistosomiasis in lake communities.</p>