ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of soil-transmitted nematode infections in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021, so as to provide insights into the development of targeted control measures against soil-transmitted nematodiasis. Methods Permanent residents at ages of 3 years and older were sampled in Ningbo City using a multi-stage sampling method each year during the period from 2016 to 2021. Soil-transmitted nematode eggs were detected in stool samples using a modified Kato-Katz thick smear method (two slides for each stool sample), and Enterobius vermicularis eggs were additionally identified among children at ages of 3 to 12 years using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method. The time- and regions-specific prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections was calculated, and the factors affecting hookworm infections were identified using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results A total of 11 573 person-times were detected for soil-transmitted nematode infections in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021, and 296 egg-positives were detected, with a mean prevalence rate of 2.56% [95% confidential interval (CI): (2.28%, 2.87%)]. Hookworm was the predominant species of soil-transmitted nematode among egg-positives in Ningbo City (98.31%, 291/296), and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hook-worm infections among years (χ2 = 190.27, P < 0.01). The highest prevalence of hook-worm infections was observed in Ninghai County (4.06%), and there was a region-specific prevalence rate of hookworm infection in Ningbo City (χ2 = 148.43, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly residents at ages of over 60 years [odds ratio (OR)= 1.94, 95% CI: (1.07, 3.54), P < 0.05], males [OR = 2.19, 95% CI: (1.72, 2.80), P < 0.01], farmers [OR = 6.94, 95% CI: (3.37, 14.29), P < 0.01] and residents with a low education level [illiteracy or semi-illiterate: OR = 3.82, 95% CI: (1.56, 9.35), P < 0.05; primary school: OR = 2.70, 95% CI: (1.11, 6.59), P < 0.05] were at a higher risk for hookworm infections. Conclusions The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections was low among residents in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021. The surveillance and health education for human hookworm disease remain to be reinforced among male farmers with a low education level at ages of over 60 years in Ninghai County.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the mediation mechanism of coronary artery lesion among both male and female Kawasaki disease (KD) children.@*Methods@#Children with KD that hospitalized in the Wenzhou Medical University affiliated Yuying Children’s Hospital from January 2009 to December 2014, were included in this study. Differences on demographical characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, regimen and time of treatment, results from pre/post echocardiography and treatment between male and female patients, were compared. The independent effect of gender on the risk of coronary artery lesions (CAL) was evaluated, and the mediating effect of BMI, visiting time and KD type on the association between gender and CAL were also studied.@*Results@#The average BMI level of male patients was higher than that of female patients. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The prevalence of overweight among male patients (20.9%) was higher than female (14.1%). The difference was statistically significant (P=0.011). Data from the multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that the incidence of CAL in male patients was higher than that in female patients (aOR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.06-2.12) but the CAL was mainly different before on the immunoglobulin therapy. Results from the mediation analysis showed that BMI was an important mediator in the association between gender and CAL, with the indirect effect as 1.05 (95%CI: 1.01- 1.10) and the proportion mediated as 13.0%.@*Conclusions@#Male patients presented higher incidence of CAL but was mainly reflected in the difference of CAL before the treatment. BMI was probably an important mediator related to the association between gender and CAL.