van Ee J H, Polderman A M
Trop Geogr Med. 1984 Sep;36(3):259-66.
The aim of the study was to test the applicability and reliability of study design and methodology for estimating the impact of schistosomiasis (mansoni) on work capacity. 160 tin-mine labourers in 4 villages in the district of Maniema (Zaire) were investigated (age 20-35 yrs). In two villages the prevalence of schistosomiasis amounts up to 100%, whereas in the other two no local transmission takes place and only some lightly infected cases are to be found. Living, working, socio-economical and ecological conditions are highly comparable. Work capacity was estimated by mean of sub-maximal work tests (Monark bicycle ergometer and double Master step-test). The population involved is unfamiliar with bicycling. Although the technique could be easily learned the work test on the bicycle ergometer as compared to the step-test gave less reliable results. Haemoglobin levels in Schistosoma positive individuals were not reduced. Work capacity as indirectly estimated by the step-test, showed no significant difference between the groups. It is concluded that the influence of schistosomiasis on work capacity, if present, is small and not detectable with the methods used in this pilot-study.
本研究的目的是检验研究设计和方法在评估血吸虫病（曼氏血吸虫病）对工作能力影响方面的适用性和可靠性。对（扎伊尔）马尼埃马地区4个村庄的160名锡矿工人进行了调查（年龄在20至35岁之间）。在两个村庄，血吸虫病的患病率高达100%，而在另外两个村庄没有本地传播，仅发现一些轻度感染病例。生活、工作、社会经济和生态条件具有高度可比性。通过次最大量运动试验（莫纳克自行车测力计和二级台阶试验）来评估工作能力。所涉及的人群不熟悉骑自行车。尽管该技术很容易掌握，但与台阶试验相比，自行车测力计运动试验得出的结果可靠性较低。血吸虫病阳性个体的血红蛋白水平没有降低。通过台阶试验间接评估的工作能力在各组之间没有显著差异。得出的结论是，血吸虫病对工作能力的影响（如果存在的话）很小，用本初步研究中使用的方法无法检测到。
