Abstract:

Objective  To understand the factors affecting acquisition of health literacy on schistosomiasis prevention and control in population living in the plateau mountainous endemic areas of Yunann Province. Methods  By random sampling, we conducted a questionnaire survey on the villagers, aged from 6 to 65 years old, living in the plateau and canyon basin with endemic schistosomiasis in two administrative villages of Xidian and Moguang in Jingdun of Heqing County in order to understand their knowledge level of and attitudes towards and behavior against schistosomiasis prevention and control. Indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test was applied to all subjects for informative status of infection with schistosomiasis. Results  Villagers without history of schistosomiasis infection had higher correct response rate on knowledge towards schistosomiasis prevention and control, and better practiced feeding livestock in captivity than their counterparts. The percentage, with regard to the conception of ‘contacting-the-infected-water-can-catch-schistosomiasis’, ‘cattle-can-transmit-schistosomiasis’ and ‘good-practice-to-feed-domestic-animals-in-captivity’, was higher in annual family income equal or over 1 500 RMB yuan, equal or over 3 000 RMB yuan(for the latter two items),respectively. The population with junior middle school education or above had better knowledge towards schistosomiasis, transmission of this disease by cattle and health related risk factors of schistosomiasis. The experience of vegetable planting and grass cutting in the same year of our survey was highly associated with population with only primary schooling or above, and those with junior middle school education were better knowledgeable on schistosomiasis prevention. In addition, illiteracy had higher percentage in subjects with a history of schistosomiasis. Conclusion  Development of social economic and educational levels may affect the health literacy on schistosomiasis prevention and control in population living in the plateau mountainous endemic areas. This suggests that planning the preventive strategies and measures shall be commensurable with the local social economic status, and it is also a issue worthy of serious consideration in coming policy making in specific endemic area.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Health literacy, Investigation and analysis, Plateau mountainous area, Heqing, Yunnan