ABSTRACT
Objective To describe rural people's perceptions of schistosomiasis and other dis eases, and to explore the relevance of these perceptions to disease control programs in rural areas of China. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in Yingjiang Village, Anhui Province,China. Anthropological and epidemiological re search methods, including focus group discussions,in depth interviews, questionnaires and stool tests, were used. Results People identified various infectious diseases, such as schistosomiasis, hepatitis, hemorrhage fever, hookworm diseases, as cariasis and infection skin diseases. The knowledge of villagers regarding schistosomiasis and other diseases was not inconsiderable but not entirely accurate. Local illness taxonomy usually resulted from the concepts as to the causation of diseases. Local people thought there were about eight categories of factors that might cause diseases. These categories were worms, the unbalance of hot cold faetors, over work and starvation, "hot poison", dirty water and food, psychological factors, supernatural factors and pesticides. Conclusion Health education, improving sanitation and safe water supply may play much important roles in improving health of rural people.