[Evaluation of integrated strategy in prevention and control of intestinal nematodiasis in Hongze County, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of the integrated strategy in prevention and control of intestinal nematodiasis in Hongze County, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategies and measures in the future.

METHODS

Since 1995, the integrated strategy has been carried out for intestinal nematodiasis, and the measures included deworming, health education, safe water, sanitation and environmental remediation. The effects of the integrated strategy were evaluated by the investigations of the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodiasis, awareness of health knowledge and behaviors of residents.

RESULTS

From 1995 to 2014, 601 900 person-times were administrated with deworming medication and the coverage rate of villages and towns was 100%. The benefit rate of safe water was 100%. The popularity rate of harmless toilets was 92.77%. The prevalence of intestinal nematodiasis decreased from 26.04% in 1995 to 0.56% in 2014, and the difference had statistical significance ( = 693.54, < 0.01). The awareness rate of health knowledge and correct rate of health behaviors increased from 43.13% and 40.94% in 1995 to 98.00% and 96.80% in 2012, respectively ( ＝ 181.97 and 182.14 respectively, ＜0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of intestinal nematodiasis has been controlled effectively through the integrated strategy in Hongze County, Jiangsu Province.