ABSTRACT
For exploring the impact of health education for schistosomiasis control in a heavy endemic area of Poyang Lake region, China, the residents residing in the heavy endemic area were divide into three kinds of target population: pupils, adult women and adult men, and then targeted health education was implemented respectively among the three kinds of population after a baseline survey. The result were compared with that in the control group. The anti-schistosomiasis knowledge level among the three kinds of population improved significantly, the correct rate of attitude to examination and chemotherapy among pupils and adult men and the correct rate of anti-schistosomiasis value concept among women were raised greatly, obedience to examination and chemotherapy among adult men increased, the rate of infested water exposure and infection rate among pupils and adult women declined remarkably. Therefore, infection with Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) can be controlled effectively among women, especially pupils and obedience to examination and chemotherapy among adults men can be improved by implementing health education.
Subject(s)
Adult , Animals , China/epidemiology , Endemic Diseases/prevention & control , Female , Health Education/organization & administration , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Compliance , Physical Examination , Schistosoma japonicum/isolation & purification , Schistosomiasis/drug therapy , Schistosomicides/therapeutic use , Water/parasitology , Water SupplyABSTRACT
Seven hundred and eighty-five individuals from an area endemic for Schistosoma japonicum had parasitological and physical examinations done. A morbidity questionnaire was also administered to each participant. Among those with S. japonicum infection, there was a significant increase in diarrhea, blood in the stool and weakness during the previous two weeks. The severity of the disease appears to be related to the history of schistosomiasis japonicum and these results give further justification for treatment of the infected individuals and those severe morbidity groups in community based chemotherapy programs designed to reduce morbidity in endemic areas.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , China/epidemiology , Diarrhea/parasitology , Endemic Diseases , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Morbidity , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Schistosomiasis japonica/complications , Severity of Illness Index , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
The study on reinfection with Schistosoma japonicum after treatment was carried out in a cohort of subjects in a heavy endemic village of Poyang lake region, China. After mass treatment with praziquantel in non-transmission time, detailed observations of water contact were estimated using the mean area of skin exposed daily. One year after treatment, the prevalence of infection in study subjects was 54.48%, returning to 83% of initial prevalence. The peak prevalence occurred the 11-15 year age class, but intensity of exposure also varies with age and that age group supporting the higher prevalence of reinfection had high levels of exposure. Among groups of subjects with a similar exposure stratum, young subjects under the age of 21 years were more heavily reinfected, while no heavy reinfection was observed in adults (> or = 25 years). These observations suggest that subjects in this area slowly acquire an increasing degree of immunity to lighten the intensity of infection with S. japonicum.