Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education on schistosomiasis control among the residents in the major endemic areas in Xinjian District, Nanchang. Methods Total 5 villages including Xiangyang, Chaoyang and Hongwei in Nanji Township, and Changyi, Caohui in Changyi Township, Nanchang, were selected as study sites based on randomly sampling method during 2016-2018. The residents in these sites were given health education including schistosomiasis control knowledge and personal sanitation behaviors through distributing leaflets, brochures, posters, establishing WeChat social groups, issuing education video for schistosomiasis control, providing physical check and clinic service. A questionnaire was issued to every villager before and after the education intervention to investigate the change of knowledge, behavior and attitude towards schistosomiasis control. Results A total of 202 permanent residents were enrolled in the survey. In 2016, 182 questionnaires were collected before intervention, with the correct rates for the knowledge, attitude and behavior of schistosomiasis control as 86.3% (157/182), 98.4% (179/182) and 28.0% (51/182) respectively. In 2018, 199 questionnaires were received after education intervention, with the correct rates of knowledge, attitude and behavior of schistosomiasis control as 100% (199/199), 100% (199/199) and 24.1% (48/199) respectively, with significantly improved knowledge for schistosomiasis （P < 0.05）, but not for the attitude and behavior improvement (P > 0.05) compared with that before education. Specifically, the answer correct rates for the Schistosoma infection season, clinical manifestations and the consequences of not adequate treatment in children increased from 43.4% (79/182), 91.8% (167/182), 86.3% (157/182) to 99.5% (198/199), 100% (199/199), 100% (199/199) after the intervention. The correct rate of knowledge about the cause of schistosomiasis, the intermediate host of schistosomiasis and the treatment drugs reached 100% after intervention. The correct rate of the attitude towards schistosomiasis control was over 99.0% for all investigators. In terms of the behavior of schistosomiasis control, the correct rates for preventing pasturing, living and performing production activities in the areas with high risk of Schistosoma infection were improved from 28.0% (51/182), 1.6% (3/182) and 40.7% (74/182) before intervention to 100% (199/199), 64.8% (129/199) and 46.2% (92/199) after intervention, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion After the implementation of health education the awareness about schistosomiasis control for residents in endemic areas has been significantly improved.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Health education, Correct, Behavior