A comparison study on epidemiological characteristics of soil-transmitted nematode infections in 2006 and 2011 in Huoshan County

Objective To compare the epidemiological characteristics of soil-transmitted nematode infections between 2006 and 2011 in Huoshan County.Methods The stool samples of the residents at Huoshan County in Anhui were collected and examined for eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiura and hookworms with modified Kato-Katz thick smear "one stool specimen-three slides" in November,2006 and 2011.Other parasite species detected were registered as well.The monitoring data of 2006 and 2011 were analyzed by SPSS18.0 in order to compare the changes.Results The infection rates of 2006 and 2011 were 4.7％ and 3.1％ respectively,the rate in 2006 was significantly higher than that in 2011 (P＜0.05,Fisher probabilities).The rate of female was higher than that of male in the 2 years,it was 7.6％ and 2.2％ respectively in 2006 (x2=16.760,P＜0.05) and was 5.0％ and 1.3％ respectively in 2011 (x2=11.045,P＜0.05).The rates in both years showed a rising trend from teenage-group to older age-group.The Ascaris lumbricoide infection rate in the two years was 1.1％ and 0.3％ respectively and the rate in 2006 was higher than that in 2011 (x2=4.579,P＜0.05).But the difference of hookworm infection rates between the two years was not significant (x2=0.758,P＞0.05).Conclusion The infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes in Huoshan County was declining.Hookworm infection is the key point for future prevention and treatment. Key words: Soil-transmitted nematode disease;  Monitoring spot;  Monitoring