title: Comparison of data-fitting models for schistosomiasis: a case study in Xingzi, China.
abstract: When modelling prevalence data, epidemiological studies usually employ either Gaussian, binomial or Poisson models. However, reasons are seldom given in the literature why the chosen model was felt to be the most appropriate. In this study, we compared all three models for fitting schistosomiasis risk in Xingzi county, Jiangxi province, People's Republic of China. Parasitological data from conventional surveys were available for 36,208 individuals aged between 6 and 65 years from 42 sampled villages and used in combination with environmental data to map the spatial patterns of schistosomiasis risk. The results show that the Poisson model fitted the data best and this model identified the role of environmental risk factors in explaining the geographical variation of schistosomiasis risk. These factors were further used to develop a predictive map, which has important implications for the control and eventual elimination of schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Cheng-Long
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Zhi-Jie
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bergquist
authors.forename: Zeng-Liang
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Qiu-Lin
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Qingwu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*