Investigation on Human Water Contact and Reinfection Study in an Islet Region of Schistosoma Japonicum

Objective To make sure of the role of human water contact patterns and reinfection affecting factors in the islet region and to confirm the high risk population of schistosoma reinfectoin and to develop cost-effective methods to provide guidelines for control programmes in the region.Methods A quantitative study on human water contact was carried out in an endemic region of schistosoma japonicum in Jiangxi province.And fecal tests were taken to confirm the infection condition of the test population before and after therapy.Results Agricultural product such as fishing was the major water contact pattern of males,while femles' major water contact pattern included not only agricultural product but also domestic contact such as washing clothes.Major water contact patterns in children and young adolescents included washing clothes,playing and swimming,but the water contact lever of them was much lower than that of adults.In both children and adults,exposure intensity was highly correlated with reinfection rate.The "susceptible group" was 19.89 years younger than the "antergic group".Conclusion There were different water contact patterns in different populations.For schistosomiasis control,health education may be effective in children and young adolescents.In the adult,the major patterns were agricultural and necessary domestic activities,so they should use self-preventive methods to protect themselves.Exposure intensity was the most important factor that affected reinfection rate,however,children was more susceptible than adults,other factors such as immunity,heredity and physiological conditions should also be considered.