Abstract
BackgroundIntestinal helminth infections are a serious public health problem in developing countries. Jiangsu, an eastern coastal province of China, has an environment conducive to the transmission of intestinal parasites, and suffered human infection rates of 71.75% in 1990. Due to comprehensive anti-transmission measures undertaken throughout the province in the 1990s, the prevalence had decreased to 9.28% in 2002. In order to assess the current epidemic situation for intestinal parasitic infections in Jiangsu province, a province-wide cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2015.MethodsSurveys were conducted in two main settings; rural (for soil-transmitted parasites) and urban (for Clonorchis sinensis), selected through stratified random sampling. Human infection rates were evaluated through the detection of helminth eggs or cysts (oocysts or trophozoites) of intestinal protozoa in fecal samples by microscopy. Secondary intermediate and reservoir hosts were surveyed for C. sinensis infection. Questionnaires were completed by each participant to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of soil-transmitted parasite and C. sinensis avoidance.Results115 out of 30153 participants (0.38%) had intestinal helminths or protozoa. There were eight species of helminth detected and the most common parasite was the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale. In rural settings, there were significant differences in infection rates between participants of differing economic status. In urban settings, only four cases of C. sinensis infection were detected. However, secondary intermediate and reservoir hosts were found to harbor parasites. The questionnaire survey revealed that 38.42% participants were not aware of how humans become infected by hookworms. Knowledge and awareness of C. sinensis was similarly low, with 53.22% participants combining the use of chopping boards for raw and cooked food items when preparing meals.ConclusionsThe prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Jiangsu Province in eastern China has decreased from 71.57% in 1990 to 0.38% in 2015. Control measures should now focus on parasitic infections in the elderly and in children, health promotion and the development of alternative detection methods.
Highlights
Intestinal helminth infections are a serious public health problem in developing countries
Infection with intestinal parasites, including soiltransmitted helminths (STHs), intestinal protozoa, and food-borne parasites, occurs throughout the world and represents a widespread and serious public health problem in developing countries [1]
We carried out a cross-sectional survey of intestinal parasitic infections in Jiangsu Province in eastern China
Summary
Intestinal helminth infections are a serious public health problem in developing countries. An eastern coastal province of China, has an environment conducive to the transmission of intestinal parasites, and suffered human infection rates of 71.75% in 1990. Infection with intestinal parasites, including soiltransmitted helminths (STHs), intestinal protozoa, and food-borne parasites (which can be diagnosed through the detection of eggs/cysts in human stool samples), occurs throughout the world and represents a widespread and serious public health problem in developing countries [1]. In China, the overall prevalence of STH infections in 2010 was 11.4%, with 6.8% of these infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides [5]. Food-borne parasites are an important cause of intestinal parasite infections, and liver flukes are the predominant food-borne parasitic human pathogen. C. sinensis infection is primarily related to liver and biliary disorders, especially cholangiocarcinoma [12, 13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
