In-depth interviews on late stage schistosomiasis patients about factors related to prevention and treatment in the rural areas / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore factors related to current prevention and treatment of Advanced cases on schistosomiasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In-depth interviews were introduced to the qualitative study on 61 Advenced cases of schistosomiasis in Dongting Lake regions. Sampling was accidentally and judgmentally performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Related factors on prevention and treatment of Advenced cases of schistosomiasis would include higher degree of social support for patients (61/61), excessive dependence on the past pattern of schistosomiasis control, lack of the idea that one should be responsible for his/her own health, lack of knowledge about prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis (28/61), older age (57.40 +/- 10.80), lower education (4.70 years), less family income, lack of effective medical insurance system and efficient close-to-client system.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Active participation from patients, medical institutions and society was needed to control Late Stage Schistosomiasis. Health education campaign should be intensified to improve the health awareness for schistosomiasis among residents in the heavy endemic areas. Medical insurance system should be set up in epidemic areas, while public health and cure systems for important diseases should be intensified in rural areas. The ability of public health system to be responsive and the accessibility of residents to health service system should be improved in rural areas as well.</p>