A study on the screening of high-risk population of schistosomiasis using a quick inquiry discriminant method during the years of disasters

Objective To seek a rapid, simple, but effective inquiry method for screening high risk population challenged by schistosomiasis. Methods Two embankment collapsed villages were selected in schistosomiasis epidemic area in Dongting Lake. Information on water exposure was collected through a retrospective study. Data was analyzed by stepwise discriminant analysis. Results A Fisher's function was established by stepwise discriminant analysis which including 5 variables out of 18. Two hundred and forty-six individuals were discriminated by the function with accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of predicting their current infection status with the results of 87.4%, 84.1% and 89.0% respectively. Conclusion The inquiry method might serve as simple, rapid, economic and effective tool for diagnosis in screening high risk population challenged by schistosomiasis in lake communities.