[Study on family and economic burden caused by chronic Schistosomiasis japonica].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the family and economic burden of chronic Schistosomiasis japonica.


METHODS
Relevant information on 226 chronic schistosomiasis patients from four surveillance sites in Yangxin county was collected. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 219 of them who agreed to corporate. Family burden was estimated with standard Family Burden Scale of Disease (FBS). Direct economic burden was calculated by questionnaire survey. Human capital method combined with Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) was adopted to evaluate the indirect economic burden.


RESULTS
The positive rates on the dimensions of family economic burden and family entertainment were 54.8 percent and 47.0 percent respectively. The remaining dimensions were lower than 40.0 percent. Results of the questionnaire survey among 219 chronic Schistosomiasis patients showed that the total economic burden was 353,480.59 Chinese Yuan, which was 1614.07 Yuan per person. The direct and indirect economic burden were 61,679 and 291,801.59 Yuan respectively. The average direct and indirect economic burden when counted on money losses, were 281.64 and 1332.43 Yuan per person, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The family burden caused by chronic Schistosomiasis japonica was serious, economically in particular. With regard to the income level of local residents, the economic burden of chronic Schistosomiasis was heavy to every household with indirect economic burden accounted for major proportion, suggesting close attention to be paid.
Xu
Yi-Cong
YC
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistic, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Zou
Xian-Sheng
XS
Zhong
Rong
R
Lv
Jing
J
Duan
Qiong-Hong
QH
D002681:China; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000191:economics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires