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Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control measures in Changzhou City from 2015 to 2020, so as to provide insights into the formulation of the strategy used to consolidate the schistosomiasis elimination achievements. Methods The annual schistosomiasis control working report and integrated schistosomiasis control data were collected in Changzhou City from 2015 to 2020, and the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock and snail status were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control measures. Results During the period from 2015 to 2020, a total of 112 061 person-time individuals received serological tests for S. japonicum infections in Changzhou City, and the sero-prevalence was 0.15% to 1.09% during the 6-year period, with a significant difference seen among years (χ2 = 288.11, P < 0.05). From 2015 to 2020, a total of 13 435 person-time individuals received stool examinations, with no egg-positives identified; among 5 840 herd-time livestock receiving schistosomiasis examinations, no positives were detected, while a 100% coverage of fencing livestock was seen each year. During the 6-year period, a total of 38.40 hm2 snail habitats were found, including 8.97 hm2 emerging snail habitats, and among the 2 344 snails dissected, no S. japonicum infection was found. Chemical treatment covered an area of 385.71 hm2, and environmental improvements covered an area of 200.39 hm2. The mean density of living snails was less than 0.1 snails/0.1 m2 in snail habitats found in Changzhou City each year from 2015 to 2020, and the coverage of harmless toilets was 100% in 2020. During the 6-year period, a total of 3.740 6 million person-time individuals were given schistosomiasis health education in Changzhou City. Conclusions Changzhou City is now at the post-elimination surveillance stage; however, there are still factors affecting schistosomiasis transmission. The schistosomiasis surveillance system remains to be improved to consolidate the schistosomiasis elimination achievements in Changzhou City.
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Objective To understand the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infections among high-risk populations in Changzhou City, so as to provide the scientific basis for formulating effective control measures of toxoplasmosis. MethodsFour types of high-risk populations living in Changzhou City were recruited from 2016 to 2018 as the study subjects, including HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, pregnant women and livestock and poultry breeding or processing workers. Each subject was investigated for the knowledge on knowledge, attitude and practice of toxoplasmosis prevention and control. In addition, serum specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were detected, and the risk factors of T. gondii infections were identified. Results A total of 900 participants at high risk of T. gondii infections were investigated in Changzhou City from 2016 to 2018, including 150 HIV/AIDS patients, 250 cancer patients, 250 pregnant women and 250 livestock and poultry breeding or processing workers. The overall awareness rate of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge was 16.8% (151/900), and the awareness rate was significantly greater in women than in men (χ2 = 41.34, P < 0.05). The awareness rate of toxoplasmosis prevention and control reduced with ages (χ2 = 147.78, P < 0.05), and increased with the education level (χ2 = 166.42, P < 0.05). In ad dition, there was an occupation-specific awareness rate of toxoplasmosis prevention and control (χ2 = 92.26, P < 0.05), and the highest awareness rate was seen in cadres and staff (47.2%, 34/72). Among all high-risk populations, 34.6% (311/900) had fre- quent contacts with cats/dogs, 40.4% (364/900) raised cats/dogs at home, 0.9% (8/900) ate raw meat, and 15.8% (142/900) sepa- rated chopping boards for raw and cooked food. Among the participants aware of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge, 24.5% (37/151) contacted cats/dogs frequently, which was significantly lower than those not aware of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge (36.6%, 274/749) (χ2 = 8.11, P < 0.05), and 35.1% (53/151) separated chopping boards for raw and cooked food, which was significantly higher than those not aware of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge (11.9%, 89/749) (χ2 = 50.97, P < 0.05). The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infections was 11.0% (99/900), and the positive rates of IgG antibodies against T. gondii were 6.0%, 13.9%, 4.8% and 17.3% in HIV/AIDS patients, livestock and poultry breeding or processing workers, pregnant women and cancer patients, respectively (χ2 = 25.87, P < 0.05). A higher seroprevalence of T. gon- dii infection was seen in men than in women (χ2 = 8.88, P < 0.05), and the seroprevalence increased with ages (χ2 = 37.03, P < 0.05) and reduced with education levels (χ2 = 25.07, P < 0.05). There was an occupation-specific seroprevalence of T. gondii in- fection (χ2 = 22.09, P < 0.05), and the highest seroprevalence was detected in peasants (57/330, 17.3%). Conclusions The awareness of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge is low among high-risk populations in Changzhou City. Health edu- cation pertaining to toxoplasmosis prevention and control requires to be strengthened in cancer patients and livestock and poultry breeding or processing workers who have a high seroprevalence of T. gondii infections, so as to change the poor behavior styles.
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Objective To assess the state of schistosomiasis elimination in 6 districts of Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for the formulation of consolidation measures. Methods Three towns (streets) were selected according to the schistosomiasis epidemic degree in each district, and one village was sampled from each town. The on-site assessment was carried out between 2016 and 2017, including Oncomelania hupensis snail survey, population investigation and domestic animal investigation. In addition, the related data and materials were evaluated and the monitoring ability was assessed. Results In the history, there were 54 endemic towns, 368 endemic villages in Changzhou City, with a total area of 3 934.79 hm2 of historic snail spots, and 114 990 schistosomiasis cases so far. In the field assessment in 6 districts, a total of 26 environments were surveyed, with the surveyed area of 36.23 hm2, and there were no living snails captured in each village. A total of 18 199 people were examined for schistosome infection, 255 were blood test positive, and the sero-positive rate was 1.40%. The stool examination was done in 255 sero-positive cases, and no cases were stool-positive. A total of 779 domestic animals were investigated, including 200 cattle, 179 sheep and 400 pigs, and no infections were detected. The files regarding the snail status and schistosomiasis epidemic situation, and the monitoring data were complete and accurate in 6 districts. The annual investment funds for schistosomiasis prevention were 3 120 000 Yuan in Changzhou City, and the number of staff working for schistosomiasis prevention was 86 totally, which could meet the requirements of high quality monitoring. Conclusions All 6 districts of Changzhou City have met the requirements of schistosomiasis elimination.
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Objective To assess the state of schistosomiasis elimination in 6 districts of Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for the formulation of consolidation measures. Methods Three towns (streets) were selected according to the schistosomiasis epidemic degree in each district, and one village was sampled from each town. The on-site assessment was carried out between 2016 and 2017, including Oncomelania hupensis snail survey, population investigation and domestic animal investigation. In addition, the related data and materials were evaluated and the monitoring ability was assessed. Results In the history, there were 54 endemic towns, 368 endemic villages in Changzhou City, with a total area of 3 934.79 hm2 of historic snail spots, and 114 990 schistosomiasis cases so far. In the field assessment in 6 districts, a total of 26 environments were surveyed, with the surveyed area of 36.23 hm2, and there were no living snails captured in each village. A total of 18 199 people were examined for schistosome infection, 255 were blood test positive, and the sero-positive rate was 1.40%. The stool examination was done in 255 sero-positive cases, and no cases were stool-positive. A total of 779 domestic animals were investigated, including 200 cattle, 179 sheep and 400 pigs, and no infections were detected. The files regarding the snail status and schistosomiasis epidemic situation, and the monitoring data were complete and accurate in 6 districts. The annual investment funds for schistosomiasis prevention were 3 120 000 Yuan in Changzhou City, and the number of staff working for schistosomiasis prevention was 86 totally, which could meet the requirements of high quality monitoring. Conclusions All 6 districts of Changzhou City have met the requirements of schistosomiasis elimination.
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Objective To investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and related knowledge and behavior among special population in Changzhou City,so as to provide the evidence for formulating effective measures of toxoplasmosis prevention. Methods The pregnant women and patients with neoplasia in Changzhou hospitals,and livestock and poultry breeding or processing workers were selected as the subjects of the study. Venous blood samples were collected from each partici-pant for detecting IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii by ELISA. A questionnaire investigation on knowledge and behavior about T. gondii infection was conducted. Results Among the total 300 respondents investigated from March to May,2015,the prevalence of T. gondii infection was 16.3％(49/300). Totally 52 respondents knew the knowledge about the prevention and con-trol of T. gondii infection with an awareness rate of 17.3％(52/300). The proportion of participants who frequently contacted with cats/dogs(25.0％,13/52)in the group who knew the knowledge about the prevention and control of T. gondii infection was lower than that of participants(50.8％,126/248)in the group who did not know the knowledge about the prevention and control of T. gondii infection,and the difference was statistically significant(X2=11.51,P<0.05). The proportion of participants sepa-rating chopping boards for raw and cooked food(61.5％,32/52)in the group who knew the knowledge about the prevention and control of T. gondii infection was statistically higher than that of the participants(9.3％,23/248)in the group who did not know the knowledge about the prevention and control of T. gondii infection,and the difference was statistically significant (X2=78.43,P<0.001). There was a negative correlation between the awareness rate of the knowledge about the prevention and con-trol of T. gondii infection and the infection rate of T. gondii. The infection rate of T. gondii(5.8％,3/52)in the group who knew the knowledge about the prevention and control of T. gondii infection was lower than that(18.5％,46/248)of the group who did not know the knowledge about the prevention and control of T. gondii infection,and the difference was statistically significant (X2=5.14,P<0.05). Conclusions The awareness rate of the knowledge about the prevention and control of T. gondii infec-tion among special population in Changzhou City is low. The health education on the knowledge of the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis should be strengthened,in order to improve the awareness of personal hygiene and change the unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits.
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Objective To analyze the Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution and the changes of snail situation in Chang-zhou City from 2013 to 2016,so as to provide the evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis prevention and control interven-tions. Methods The data of snail monitoring in Changzhou City from 2013 to 2016 were collected and statistically analyzed. Re-sults The total area with snails was 40.17 hm2 and the newly discovered area was 30.63 hm2 in Changzhou City from 2013 to 2016. In the four years,3454 snails were dissected,and no schistosome infected snails were found. There were totally 51 spots with snails,and the areas with snails of different types of marshland,inland and mountain were 12.13(30.19％),25.54 hm2 (63.57％)and 2.51 hm2(6.24％),respectively. In the newly discovered snail environment,the areas of types of marshland and inland were 8.00 hm2(26.12％)and 22.63 hm2(73.88％),respectively. The main causes for snail existence were external input and adjacent diffusion. In the past four years,the total snail control area with molluscicides was 71.74 hm2,the consolidated snail control area with molluscicides was 155.15 hm2,and the total environmental modification areas in the current snail spots and historic snail spots were 15.90 hm2 and 11.30 hm2 respectively. Conclusion The diffusion of snails in inland rivers is the key of the newly discovered snail areas in Changzhou City in recent years,and the snail monitoring and control measures should be strengthened in the future.
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Objective To understand the quality of blood smears for Plasmodium detection in Changzhou City,so as to pro?vide the technical support for malaria surveillance in the post?elimination period. Methods The blood smears of fever patients from each cities(districts)in Changzhou City in 2014,including more than 3%of the negatives and all the positives,were se?lected. The quality of the blood smear making,dyeing,cleanliness and results were reviewed by the experts from the municipal malaria microscopy station,and the data were analyzed statistically. Results Totally 996 negative blood smears were reviewed in 2014,with a review rate of 4.52%. The qualified rates of blood smear making,dyeing and cleanliness were 92.87%,93.27%and 94.48%,respectively. A total of 34 positive blood smears were reviewed,and there were no false detections and leak detec?tions. The qualified rates of blood smear making and dyeing were more than 90%in all the seven cities(districts). As for quali?fied rate of cleanliness,except the rate in Qishuyan District(81.36%),those in the other six cities(districts)were all above 90%. The qualified rates of blood smear making,dyeing and cleanliness were all more than 90%in first?class,second?class and third?class hospitals. The major quality defects of the blood smears were sediment,abnormal making and thick membrane shed?ding,and the proportions were 25.91%,21.76%and 19.17%,respectively. Conclusions The quality of blood smears for Plas?modium detection in Changzhou City is satisfying. In the future,the training and supervision still should be strengthened to guar?antee the capacity of microscopic examinations for Plasmodium detection in the surveillance of post?elimination period.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control in Changzhou City in recent 10 years, so as to provide the evidences for formulating the future prevention and control strategy. Methods The work reports and the da?ta of the schistosomiasis comprehensive control projects in Changzhou City from 2004 to 2014 were collected,the infection sta?tus of residents and livestock as well the Oncomelania hupensis snail situation were analyzed,and the implementation effect of the comprehensive control projects was evaluated. Results From 2004 to 2014,totally 215 368 person?times were examined, and the positive rate of the blood examinations of the population was 0.24%(478/198 356),and there were no positive cases de?tected out by using the miracidium hatching method. Totally 11 935 domestic animals were detected and no positives were found. From 2004 to 2014,the total area with snails was 92.27 hm2,and marshland,inland and mountain environments accounted for 34.75%,34.82%and 30.43%,respectively. The newly discovered area with snails was 34.40 hm2,and marshland,inland and mountain environments accounted for 2.62%,71.22% and 26.16%,respectively. Totally 8 511 snails were dissected and no schistosome infected snails were found. From 2004 to 2014,a total of 242 600 harmless toilets were built,2 704 700 domestic animals were reared in pens,5.82 km?long rivers were dredged,2 250.11 hm2 of protective forests were constructed,a total area of 625.79 hm2 were controlled with molluscicides,and an area of 149.58 hm2 were environmentally transformed. Totally 5.4 mil?lion people received health education. The awareness rate of knowledge on schistosomiasis control of residents was 96.00% in 2014. Conclusions There exists the risks of snails import and diffusion and schistosomiasis resurrection in Changzhou City, but under the condition of continuous implementation of comprehensive control measures,the endemic situation of schistosomia?sis is stable and the control achievement is consolidated in this city.
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Objective To understand the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and related factors among special popu?lation in Changzhou City,so as to provide the evidence for formulating toxoplasmosis prevention measures. Methods The ve?nous blood was collected from participants in Changzhou City for detecting IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii by ELISA;and an epidemiological questionnaire investigation was also conducted. Results Among the total 400 respondents detected,the prevalence of T. gondii infection was 15.0%and the positive rates of IgG and IgM were 15.0%and 0.8%,respectively. The T. gondii infection rates of pregnant women,HIV/AIDS patients,patients with neoplasia,and livestock and poultry breeding and processing workers were 11.0%,11.0%,24.0%and 14.0%,respectively. As the age increased,the infection rate of T. gondii showed an upward trend,with the highest infection rate(21.6%)among the group of respondents aged above 50 years. The in?fection rates of groups with different education levels were statistically different(χ2=11.443,P<0.05),and there was a trend that the infection rate decreased with the increase of education level. The prevalence of T. gondii infection in pregnant women was not significantly associated with the number of pregnancies and gestational age. The infection rate of T. gondii in the live?stock and poultry breeding and processing workers increased with the length of their working years. Conclusions The preva?lence of T. gondii infection among the special population in Changzhou City is high. Therefore,it is necessary to enhance the health education on the knowledge and information of prevention and control of toxoplasmosis,and to improve the awareness of personal protection,the hygiene practices and diet habits. In addition,more attention should be paid to T. gondii monitoring in the special population.
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Objective To grasp the malaria epidemic situation in Changzhou City from 2010 to 2014,so as to provide the ev?idence for formulating and adjusting malaria control strategies and measures. Methods The epidemiological data of malaria cas?es in the special report system from 2010 to 2014 were collected,and the malaria epidemic situation and the diagnosis and treat?ment of malaria patients were analyzed. Results There were 132 malaria cases reported in Changzhou City from 2010 to 2014, with a decrease of 27.47%compared to 182 cases from 2005 to 2009. Among the 132 cases,2 cases were local infected cases and the remaining 130 cases were imported cases. Four cases were clinically diagnosed and 128 cases were laboratory con?firmed,with 97 cases of malignant malaria,14 cases of vivax malaria,13 cases of ovale malaria,and 4 cases of quartan malar?ia. The 132 cases were distributed in five districts:56 cases in Jintan City,51 cases in Liyang City,19 cases in Tianning Dis?trict,3 cases in Wujin District,and 3 cases in Xinbei District. The median duration between the onset and treatment of the dis?ease was 2 days,and the median duration between the diagnosis and treatment was 1 day. The diagnosing units were concentrat?ed on the county?level disease control agencies,and medical institutions at county and municipal levels,accounting for 92.42%(122/132). From 2011 to 2014,there were no local malaria cases. Conclusions From 2012 to 2014,there have been no local malaria cases in Changzhou City,and the goal of eliminating malaria has been achieved basically. However,there are still many imported malaria cases,and the infected species are diverse. Therefore,imported malaria is still the key of malaria prevention and control.
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Objective To analyze the results of assessment and authentication of malaria elimination of 7 county?level cities and districts in Changzhou City,Jiangsu Province,and explore the suitable monitoring methods for malaria after the elimination in this region,so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting the malaria elimination strategies and measures. Meth?ods The data from the network reports of malaria epidemic situation,blood examinations of febrile patients,epidemiological questionnaires of malaria cases,investigation of epidemic focuses and disposal tables were collected and analyzed in Changzhou City from 2009 to 2014. The clinicians were assessed with the closed?book written examinations for their ability of the diagnosis and treatment of malaria. The inspection personnel were assessed by the microscopical examinations of Plasmodium. Totally 30 negative blood slides were reviewed. In the natural village where the last local case of malaria was located ,200 blood filter pa?pers were collected for gene detection of Plasmodium. Results From 2009 to 2014,145 malaria cases were reported in Chang?zhou City. Totally 170 638 febrile patients received blood detections for malaria,of which 137 cases were positive and the posi?tive rate was 0.08%. The majority of malaria cases were imported except 8 local malaria infection cases in 2009 and 2 local ma?laria infection cases in 2010. Four of seven county?level cities(districts)gained an average score of 20 points on the microscopi?cal examinations of Plasmodium. Liyang City got a minimum average score of 18.8 points. In capacity assessment of malaria diag?nosis and treatment,Liyang City gained the highest average score of 19.8 points,and Qishuyan District got the lowest average score of 18.0 points. The malaria elimination assessment scores of the 7 county?level cities(districts)were all above 93 points. Four county?level cities(districts)(Xinbei District,Wujin District,Liyang City,and Jintan City)carried out the active case detections. A total of 731 cases were detected and the results were all negative. Liyang City in 2012,Zhonglou District and Jin?tan City in 2013,Tianning District,Qishuyan District,Xinbei District and Wujin District in 2014,passed the malaria elimina?tion assessment at county(district)level,respectively. Conclusions All the 7 county?level cities(districts)of Changzhou City have passed the malaria elimination assessment at a high score. After the malaria elimination ,the monitoring should contin?ue to consolidate the achievements.
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Objective To understand the current state of staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations in Changzhou City in the early stage of eliminating malaria action,so as to provide the evidence for achieving the target of malaria elimination. Methods The staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations from medical institutions and centers for disease control and prevention at differ-ent levels were investigated by questionnaires and tests of the malaria related theory and microscopic operation. Results Totally 95 people were investigated,and among them,40.0%had college degree and 45.3%were university educated. There were 18.9%of them working on Plasmodium microscopy examinations for less than 1 year,40.0%for 2-5 years,18.9%for 6-10 years and 22.1%for more than 10 years. The numbers of person-time of provincial and municipal level training,district-level training,and unit-level training in the last year were 0.57,0.59,and 0.14,respectively. Totally 18.9%of them had the experience of finding Plasmodium at work,and 97.9% of them considered it was necessary or very necessary to do Plasmodium microscopy examina-tions. However,57.9%and 8.4%of them considered Plasmodium microscopy examinations increased their work load and work dif-ficulty,respectively. The average correct rates of knowledge tests on malaria before and after training were 72.5%and 91.6%re-spectively(P<0.05). The average mark of Plasmodium microscopic tests was 25.3 points(full mark being 50 points),and the passing rate(≥30 points)was 58.9%. Conclusion The working experience of staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations in Changzhou City is relatively poor,and the related training should be enhanced.