Objective: To explore the socioeconomic determinants of chronic schistosomiasis japonica at household level.
Methods: The socioeconomic status of case and control families in lake and marsh schistosomiasis endemic areas were investigated by questionnaire, socioeconomic factors were analyzed by the principle components analysis, and the wealth index were calculated to evaluate the economic status at household level. Then the relation between schistosome infection and some influencing factors were analyzed by two-level Logistic regression model.
Results: A total of 2 716 households in 91 villages were investigated, among which 1 050 were case families and 1 666 were control families. The values of the first eigenvector of stone/brick house, house with > or = 2 floors, black/white TV, colour TV, washing machine, refrigerator, side occupation were -0.42, 0.46, -0.45, 0.46, 0.32, 0.24 and 0.16, respectively, which suggested that the first eigenvector was the comprehensive index reflecting family wealth. The results of Logistic regression model showed that there were 4 household factors significantly relating to chronic schistosomiasis, namely, the distance from residence to schistosome-infested water, source of washing water, economic status, and wet land area per capita, among which the factor that the distance from residence to schistosome - infested water < 100 m with the highest (OR = 12.590, P = 0).
Conclusion: In the lake and marsh endemic areas, health education and other intervention to the poor family living along river or lake without safe water supply should be strengthened to control schistosomiasis.