BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH WATER CONTACT AND SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM INFECTION IN A RURAL VILLAGE, THE DONGTING LAKE REGION, CHINA

Shouhei Takeuchi; Yuesheng Li; Yongkang He; Huan Zhou; Moji Kazuhiko; Ohtsuka Ryutaro; Chiho Watanabe

doi:10.2149/tmh.34.117

Original articles

BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH WATER CONTACT AND SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM INFECTION IN A RURAL VILLAGE, THE DONGTING LAKE REGION, CHINA

Shouhei Takeuchi, Yuesheng Li, Yongkang He, Huan Zhou, Moji Kazuhiko, Ohtsuka Ryutaro, Chiho Watanabe

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Keywords: Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosomiasis, Water microbiology, Environmental exposure, Behavior, China

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2006 Volume 34 Issue 3 Pages 117-123

DOI https://doi.org/10.2149/tmh.34.117

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Abstract

Although identification of water contact patterns is one of the most important factors for the prevention of Schistosoma japonicum infection, it is still insufficient for clarifying specific high-risk behaviors and their implications. Parasitological studies and behavioral observations were carried out in a rural village, the Dongting Lake region, China. A time-allocation study conducted by a time-saving spot-check method was implemented to quantify the behavioral risks. Of the 122 participants, 18 (14.8%; 95% confidence interval: 8.5, 21.0) were positive for S. japonicum. Among those diagnosed, the median (25−75% quartile) eggs per gram was 8 (8−16). A significant positive correlation with worm intensity was found among people who repair ships on the marshland (p&It;0.001), and this potential risk was consistent with previous suggestions. Although the parasitological techniques and study design require further improvements, our observational methods may be of use to explicitly identify behaviors at the local level that could be relevant to prevention.

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