Abstract:

 Objective  To understand the effect of schistosomiasis health education on the knowledge and behavior in the migrant workers of shipyards along the Yangtze River in Hexian county. Methods  Three shipyards, built along the river beach within the endemic villages in Hexian county, were selected for pilot study by offering the worker with health education involved in schistosomiasis for consecutive three years. Then the migrant workers were surveyed on the knowledge related to schistosomiasis, their attitudes towards schistosomiasis prevention, incidences of actively contacting infested water and compliance with examination and treatment of schistosomiasis. Results  After consecutive three years of health education and behavior intervention, the awareness rate of schistosomiasis related knowledge, attitudes towards this disease prevention and the compliance with examination and treatment of schistosomiasis among the workers were increased from 11.2%. 9.1%, 38.8% and 31.7% to 93.8%, 91.9%, 93.2% and 84.3%, respectively, and the incidence of actively contacting the infested water was fallen from 6.8% to 0 after our efforts. No individual had ever been infected with schistosoma. Conclusion  Constant health education can improve the awareness of migrant worker on the risks and prevention of the schistosomiasis in endemic area, which has a positive effect on schistosomiasis control.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Health education, Effect evaluation