Abstract:

To understand the current status of the soil-transmitted nematode (STN) infections among Xiamen population in order to establish a scientific strategy for the better control and prevention, an epidemiological survey was performed in Xiamen region from 2012 to 2017. Based on the National Survey Plan and Implementation Rules for the Status of Human Key Parasites, the survey sites were chosen using stratified cluster sampling method. Total 4 evenly distributed townships (or street) were randomly chosen from each District of Xiamen (Out of island: Xiang’an, Tong’an, Jimei, and Haicang. On the island: Huli and Siming) and then four to five villages or communities were randomly selected from each selected township (or street) as survey sites. More than 50 permanent residents with age over 3 years old from each survey site were enrolled as participants. Fecal samples were collected from each participant and the intestinal helminth eggs were examined under microscope using modified Kato-Katz thick smear method (one sample one examination). Total 7 099 individuals from 140 survey sites (villages or communities) distributed in 28 township (streets) were examined. The overall prevalence of STN infections was 1.65% (117/7 099), including 1.62% (115/7 099) of hookworm infection and 0.03% (2/7 099) of Trichuris trichiura infection. No Ascaris infection was detected among all samples. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of STN between male (1.55%, 51/3 363） and female participants (1.77%, 66/3 736) (P > 0.05). In terms of the age, people over 50 years old had the highest prevalence of STN infections(3.83%, 84/2 196) with significant difference compared to people in other age groups (P < 0.05). Regarding the occupational distribution, farmers had the highest prevalence (4.95%, 87/1 756). There was significant difference in the prevalence of STNs between people living on the island (with only hookworm infection 0.25%, 5/2 035) and outside the island (mainland) (2.21%, 112/5 063, including hookworm 2.17%, 110/5 063 and Trichuris 0.04%, 2/5 063） (P < 0.05). People living in Xiang’an District had the highest prevalence of STNs compared to other 5 Districts. By this survey, we conclude that the overall prevalence of STN infections among the whole Xiamen region keeps at low level. People living on mainland have higher infection rate than people living on the island.

Key words: Soil-transmitted nematode, Infection, Xiamen region