[Evaluation of mid-term effectiveness of medium-and-long-term programme for prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mid-term effectiveness of the medium-and-long-term programme for prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province.

METHODS

In the programme, the comprehensive measures were carried out, including the schistosomiasis detection and chemotherapy for residents and livestock, snail control, health education, and infectious source control. The mid-term effectiveness of the programme was observed and evaluated longitudinally.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2009, 750 798 schistosomiasis patients and 547 069 persons with the history of infested water contacting were treated. The number of positive cattle treated was 8 462 cattle-times and the number of cattle with history of infested water contact treated was 117 023 cattle-times. The area with snails control by molluscicides was 30 532.0 hm2, and the area with snails control by environmental modification was 13 979.5 hm2. The number of persons who received health education was 31.73 million person-times. The infectious source control measures were carried out in 40% of endemic villages with human infection rate being more than 1%. Up to 2009, the infection rates of population and cattle, and the incidence rate of acute schistosomiasis reduced to 0.51%, 1.25% and 0.30/100 000, respectively. During the period of 2004-2009, the areas with snails fluctuated from 29 065.4 to 29 740.3 hm2. The densities of living snails and infected snails both showed a declining trend in general. During these years, the whole province reached the criteria of infection control, 4 counties reached the criteria of transmission control, and 4 counties reached the criteria of transmission interruption.

CONCLUSION

The effect of the comprehensive strategy of schistosomiasis control is remarkable.