Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices and the Analysis of Risk Factors regarding Schistosomiasis Among Fishermen and Boatmen in the Dongting Lake Basin, the People's Republic of China
Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in the Dongting Lake Basin of Yueyang County, Hunan Province. A total of 601 fishermen and boatmen were interviewed between October and November 2017. Information regarding sociodemographic details and KAPs towards schistosomiasis were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Fecal samples of participants were collected and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the risk factors related to the positive results of PCR.
Results: Of the 601 respondents, over 90% knew schistosomiasis and how the disease was contracted, the intermediate host of schistosomes and preventive methods. The majority of respondents had a positive attitude towards schistosomiasis prevention. However, only 6.66% (40/601) of respondents had installed a latrine on their boats, while 32.61% (196/601) of respondents defecated in the public toilets on shore. In addition, only 4.99% (30/601) respondents protected themselves while exposed to freshwater. The prevalence of schistosomiasis, as determined by PCR, among fishermen and boatmen in Yueyang County was 13.81% (83/601). Age, years of performing the current job, number of times receiving treatment, and whether they were treated in past three years were the main influencing factors of PCR results among this population.
Conclusions: Fishermen and boatmen are still at high risk of infection in P. R. China and gaps exist in KAPs towards schistosomiasis in this population group. Chemotherapy, and health education encouraging behavior change in combination with other integrated approaches to decrease the transmission risk in environments should be improved.
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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices and the Analysis of Risk Factors regarding Schistosomiasis Among Fishermen and Boatmen in the Dongting Lake Basin, the People's Republic of China
Posted 02 Jun, 2020
On 25 May, 2020
On 24 May, 2020
On 24 May, 2020
On 25 Apr, 2020
On 24 Apr, 2020
On 24 Apr, 2020
On 07 Apr, 2020
Received 16 Mar, 2020
On 09 Mar, 2020
On 02 Mar, 2020
Invitations sent on 02 Mar, 2020
On 01 Mar, 2020
On 01 Mar, 2020
On 17 Feb, 2020
Received 01 Feb, 2020
Received 25 Jan, 2020
Received 25 Jan, 2020
On 20 Jan, 2020
On 20 Jan, 2020
On 17 Jan, 2020
Received 16 Jan, 2020
On 09 Jan, 2020
Invitations sent on 24 Dec, 2019
On 23 Dec, 2019
On 22 Dec, 2019
On 22 Dec, 2019
On 08 Dec, 2019
On 02 Dec, 2019
On 01 Dec, 2019
On 01 Dec, 2019
On 30 Nov, 2019
Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in the Dongting Lake Basin of Yueyang County, Hunan Province. A total of 601 fishermen and boatmen were interviewed between October and November 2017. Information regarding sociodemographic details and KAPs towards schistosomiasis were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Fecal samples of participants were collected and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the risk factors related to the positive results of PCR.
Results: Of the 601 respondents, over 90% knew schistosomiasis and how the disease was contracted, the intermediate host of schistosomes and preventive methods. The majority of respondents had a positive attitude towards schistosomiasis prevention. However, only 6.66% (40/601) of respondents had installed a latrine on their boats, while 32.61% (196/601) of respondents defecated in the public toilets on shore. In addition, only 4.99% (30/601) respondents protected themselves while exposed to freshwater. The prevalence of schistosomiasis, as determined by PCR, among fishermen and boatmen in Yueyang County was 13.81% (83/601). Age, years of performing the current job, number of times receiving treatment, and whether they were treated in past three years were the main influencing factors of PCR results among this population.
Conclusions: Fishermen and boatmen are still at high risk of infection in P. R. China and gaps exist in KAPs towards schistosomiasis in this population group. Chemotherapy, and health education encouraging behavior change in combination with other integrated approaches to decrease the transmission risk in environments should be improved.
Figure 1
Figure 2