Effect of integrated schistosomiasis control measures in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019

• Published in: Zhongguo xue xi chong bing fang zhi za zhi Vol. 32; no. 3; p. 230
• Main Authors: Tang, L, Zhou, J, Zhao, Z Y, Wang, H L, Jiang, Q, Lian, H, Wu, X, Jiang, L P, Han, Y Q, Ren, G H, Deng, W C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 07.05.2020
• Subjects: Hunan Province; Schistosomiasis; Cost-effectiveness; Integrated control
• ISSN: 1005-6661
• DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2020067

To examine the effect of the integrated schistosomiasis control measures in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019, so as to provide insights into the development of the schistosomiasis elimination strategy. The integrated schistosomiasis control measures implemented by the health, agriculture, water resources, forestry, land and resources sectors were retrospectively collected in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019, and the completion of each measure, cost of control measures, infections in humans and bovines, and snail status were analyzed each year. An index system for assessing the integrated schistosomiasis control effect was constructed using the Delphi method to calculate the integrated schistosomiasis control effect index. In addition, a cost-effect analysis was performed in terms of the decline in the prevalence of infections in humans and bovines, areas with snails in inner embankments, and areas with infected snails. A total of 7 110 926 500 Yuan were invested into the integrated schistosomiasis control program of Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019. During the 16-year period, a total of 277 437.12 hm snail habitats received molluscicidal treatments, 6 927 230 person-times given expanded chemotherapy, 2 116 247 bovine-times given expanded chemotherapy, 954 850 harmless toilets built, 290 359 bovines fenced, 136 666 bovines eliminated, 141 905 machines used to replace bovines, 39 048.63 hm water lands improved as dry lands, 724.12 km irrigation regions improved, 3 994 300 populations covered with safe water, 191 102.89 hm forests planted and 38 535.27 hm lands leveled. The prevalence of infections was 4.29% in humans and 4.48% in bovines in Hunan Province in 2004, with 2 449.37 hm snail habitats in inner embankments and 3 423.74 hm infected snail areas. In 2019, the prevalence of infections reduced to 0 in both humans and bovines, and areas of snail habitats reduced to 540.92 hm (77.92% reductions), while the areas with infected snails reduced to 0. The overall integrated schistosomiasis control effect index appeared a tendency towards a rise over years since 2004, and the integrated schistosomiasis control effect index was 97.35 in 2019; the annual mean costs for a 1% reduction in the prevalence of infections in 100 populations and 100 bovines were 70.11 Yuan and 4 204.78 Yuan, and the annual mean costs for a 1% reduction in the snail areas in inner embankments and infected snail areas were 2 010.20 Yuan and 1 298.09 Yuan, respectively. The integrated control measures achieve remarkable effectiveness for schistosomiasis control in Hunan Province, with a remarkable decline in the prevalence of infections in humans and bovines and great shrinking of snail areas in inner embankments and infected snail areas. Adequate fund investment is required to improve the integrated schistosomiasis control measures and consolidate the control achievements.