A case-control study on risk factors of cystic echinococcosis in humans in Tibetan areas

Abstract

To understand the risk factors of cystic echinococcosis in Tibetan population, so as to provide the reference for development of prevention and control strategies. Four cystic echinococcosis highly-prevalent townships were selected from Naqu County of Tibet and Shiqu County of Sichuan Province, which had similar environmental and altitude conditions, from August to September, 2017. Applying the 1∶1 case-control study, a household survey was conducted to investigate the risk factors of echinococcosis in humans. A total of 378 residents were investigated, of which the numbers of cases and non-cases were both 189. The univariate analysis showed that the years of keeping dogs (OR = 1.032, P < 0.05), the number of keeping dogs (OR = 1.260, P < 0.05), the way of raising dogs (OR = 1.434, P < 0.05), feeding with raw viscera (OR = 1.531, P < 0.05), and there being stray dogs around (OR = 1.946, P < 0.05) were the risk factors of echinococcosis. As a result of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only three risk factors, feeding with raw viscera, there being stray dogs around, and drinking water resource, were included in the regression model. Feeding with raw viscera, there being stray dogs around, and drinking water resource are the risk factors of echinococcosis in humans.