ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo analyze the influencing factors of health-related behaviors for schistosomiasis prevention and control among primary and secondary school students in Sichuan Province using a multilevel and multivariate logistic model, so as to provide the theoretical evidence for developing the schistosomiasis prevention and control strategy among primary and secondary school students in Sichuan Province. MethodsA multi-stage sampling was conducted among 63 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts) in Sichuan Province. Five endemic townships were sampled from each county (district), and 100 Grade 4 to 6 students in each primary school and 100 Grade 1 to 3 students in each secondary school were sampled from each township as the study subjects. The health-related behaviors for schistosomiasis prevention and control were investigated using a questionnaire survey, and factors affecting infested water contact behaviors were identified using univariate and multilevel logistic analyses. Results Among the 62 200 questionnaires distributed, there were 59 134 recovered, and 56 510 were qualified. The qualified 56 510 respondents included 22 955 secondary school students and 33 555 primary school students, and 28 297 male students and 28 213 females. A higher proportion of infested water contacts was seen in male students than in females (P < 0.001), and the students living in heavily endemic areas had a higher proportion of infested water contacts than those in mildly endemic areas (P < 0.001). In addition, there was no significant difference in the proportion of infested water contacts between primary and secondary school students (P >0.05). Multilevel and multivariate logistic analyses revealed a lower proportion of infested water contacts with the increase of knowledge, belief and self-efficacy levels (P < 0.001), and there was a cluster of infested water contacts among students at a county scale (P < 0.001). Conclusions There is a cluster of infested-water contact behaviors among primary and secondary school students at a county scale in Sichuan Province. Individual and environmental factors should be considered during the formulation of health education strategy and interventions for schistosomiasis among primary and secondary school students.
ABSTRACT
Objective To identify 10 imported cases of Plasmodium ovale wallikeri infection in Sichuan Province from January to April in 2018, and to analyze the P. ovale wallikeri infection status of 1 079 malaria cases reported in this area from 2013 to 2017. Methods The 10 cases collected in 2018 were examined by microscopy, RDT, nested PCR and sequencing. Meanwhile, the retrospective detections of P. ovale wallikeri of the 1 079 blood samples from past 5 years were conducted by nested PCR using wallikeri-specific primers. Results For the 10 cases, the microscopic examinations were all positive for P. ovale, of which 2 were mixed infection with P. falciparum, and the results of RDT were all positive for Plasmodium. Except for 2 cases of P. falciparum infection, the routine nested PCR showed negative results for rest of the samples. The nested PCR for the specific detection of P. ovale wallikeri showed the 10 cases were all positive, and the following sequencing confirmed that the 10 cases were all infected with P. ovale wallikeri. The retrospective tests discovered 2 cases both reported in 2017 and recorded as simple P. falciparum infection tuned out to be mixed infection with P. falciparum and P. ovale wallikeri. Conclusion This is the first time that imported P. ovale wallikeri infection is founded in Sichuan Province.
ABSTRACT
Objective To identify 10 imported cases of Plasmodium ovale wallikeri infection in Sichuan Province from January to April in 2018, and to analyze the P. ovale wallikeri infection status of 1 079 malaria cases reported in this area from 2013 to 2017. Methods The 10 cases collected in 2018 were examined by microscopy, RDT, nested PCR and sequencing. Meanwhile, the retrospective detections of P. ovale wallikeri of the 1 079 blood samples from past 5 years were conducted by nested PCR using wallikeri-specific primers. Results For the 10 cases, the microscopic examinations were all positive for P. ovale, of which 2 were mixed infection with P. falciparum, and the results of RDT were all positive for Plasmodium. Except for 2 cases of P. falciparum infection, the routine nested PCR showed negative results for rest of the samples. The nested PCR for the specific detection of P. ovale wallikeri showed the 10 cases were all positive, and the following sequencing confirmed that the 10 cases were all infected with P. ovale wallikeri. The retrospective tests discovered 2 cases both reported in 2017 and recorded as simple P. falciparum infection tuned out to be mixed infection with P. falciparum and P. ovale wallikeri. Conclusion This is the first time that imported P. ovale wallikeri infection is founded in Sichuan Province.