Comparison on status of soil transmitted nematodes infection in Ningxia rural populations between 2002 and 2011

Abstract

Objective To understand the changes of soil transmitted nematodes infection status in Ningxia rural population between 2002 and 2011 and provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases in the future Methods Random samples were collected from the residents at 46 survey points in seven counties (districts) of Ningxia according to the National Parasite Survey Program in 2002 and 2011.Roundworms eggs,whip worm eggs,pinworm eggs were detected in the stool with Kato-Katz thick smear and pinworm eggs were detected with cellophane anal swab method for children aged 3 to 12,The results of two survey on soil transmitted nematode infection status were then analyzed and compared.Results The infection rates of roundworm,pinworm,whipworm,hookworm were 5.79％ (627/10 829),6.65％ (171/2 570),0.20％ (7/10 829),0.08％ (3/10 829),respectively in 2002 while there were two species of soil transmitted nematodes i.e.rouudworm and pinworm with infection rates of 3.77％ (306/8 089)and 2.89％ (204/7 042)in 2011.In 2002,the total infection rate of soil transmitted nematodes was higher than 5％ in 5 out of 7 counties,including the highest Pengyang County with infection rate of 12.42％.In 2011,the total infection rate was higher than 5％ (5.06％) only in Haiyuanxian County.The infection rate was highest in children of 12-year-old age group based on two surveys.There was no significant difference for infection rates between genders or ethnic groups.The infection rates in pre-school children and students were higher than those in other occupational groups (x22002 =62.44,P ＜ 0.05; x22011 =27.29,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The infection rate of soil transmitted nematodes in Ningxia was down to 3.36％ in 2011 (509/15 131) from 6.04％ in 2002 (808/13 399),but the preschool and primary school students at individual economically backward areas with poor sanitation are still the focus of prevenlion in the future. Key words: Nematnde infection; Soil transmitted nematodes; Infection rate; Comparison; Rural areas; Ningxia