Survey of infections of intestinal parasites and related factors in north-west Shandong Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the infection status of intestinal parasites and related knowledge and behavior factors of the residents in north-west Shandong Province,so as to provide the evidence for taking targeted preventive measures. Meth-ods Eighteen villages were randomly selected as survey spots by the stratified multi-stage sample method. The Kato-Katz tech-nique was used to detect intestinal parasite eggs among the residents and the cellophane tape anus test was used to detect Entero-bius vermicularis eggs among 3-12 years old children. Questionnaires were applied to investigate related knowledge and behavior factors about the intestinal parasite infections in the residents. Results Totally 6 366 residents were detected for intestinal para-sites and the infection rate was 0.28%(18 cases). Totally 895 children were detected for E. vermicularis and the infection rate was 5.70%(51 cases). Totally 2 915 residents were investigated by questionnaires and the awareness rate of knowledge about preventing parasitic diseases was 26.72%. The formation rates of washing hands before meal and after WC,washing fruit and vegetable before eating,never drinking unboiled water were 55.42%,42.87%,43.54%and 83.04%respectively. The aware-ness rate of knowledge about preventing parasitic diseases of 3-12 years old children was 12.24%;and the formation rates of washing hands before meal and after WC were 47.04%and 30.44%respectively. Conclusions The total infection rate of intesti-nal parasites is low but the E. vermicularis infection rate is high among children in north-west Shandong Province. The awareness rate of knowledge about preventing parasitic diseases and the formation rates of healthy behaviors are all low. Therefore ,the tar-geted health education should be taken to increase the awareness rate and guide the residents to develop their healthy behaviors.