Efficacy of different chemotherapeutic schemes for hookworm-infected villagers in China

A comparative analysis has been made of the efficacy of different chemotherapeutic schemes against hookworm infections in China. Hookworm eggs were detected by the improved Kato's thick smear method. Benzimidazole was offered to residents in the tested villages, while NaHCO 3 was used as placebo in control villages. Data were analysed by negative binomial distribution with statistic software R2.2.1. In the tested village as a result of the application of selective chemotherapy, hookworm infection rate decreased from 58·79% to 1·08%, while the average of eggs per gram (EPG) reduced from 526·29 to 56·91. The infection rates in the target chemotherapy village and in the mass chemotherapy village declined from 6·90% to 1·92% and 10·10% to 0·65% respectively. It was concluded that the consecutive selective chemotherapy could rapidly decrease the infection rate and EPG of hookworm and maintain the infection rate at low level. The curative effect of the target chemotherapy was similar to that of the mass chemotherapy in the low hookworm endemic area.