[Impact of people's social behavior on schistosomiasis transmission in the Three Gorges Reservoir area].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in natural ecology and social environment after the construction of the dam in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, and to understand the social behavior status and education backgrounds of the local residents, and to analyze the potential impact of these factors on schistosomiasis spreading.


METHODS
Data of nature and social economy after the construction of the dam in the Three Gorge area were collected, and a cross-sectional study with questionnaire survey on information including social demographic characteristics, people's production and life style, knowledge about schistosomiasis was conducted among natives, emigrations.


RESULTS
After the construction of the dam, as the stream became slower, the water-level fluctuating zone on the bank of the reservoir was formed. The main source of drinking water and daily life activity are mainly depends on the river supplying (accounting about 68.7% and 75.8%, respectively); due to the needs of farming, washing cloths and vegetables, 45.6% of resident had a close contact with river water. People with away-from-home employment among emigrations were increased from 5.7% to 18.7%. The proportion of using hygienic lavatory was 88.6%. The main source of water for drinking and daily life among emigrations was tap water (85.4% and 87.0%). The residents had no awareness about the health hazard for schistosomiasis, with less health information


CONCLUSIONS
The natural environment of reservoir areas and the life style are risk factors for the spread of schistosomiasis. The improved sanitation condition and the economy construction after the construction of the dam is propitious to keeping away from the introduction of schistosomiasis. However, people with away-from-home employment among emigrations are still at risk of schistosomiasis.
Zhang
Hui-Juan
HJ
Department of Schistosomiasis, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China.
Zhu
Rong
R
Wu
Cheng-Guo
CG
Guo
Jia-Gang
JG
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D011891:Rain; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014872:Water Movements; D014876:Water Pollution; D017132:Workplace