[Effect of control on infections of soil-transmitted helminthes in demonstration plots of China for 3 years].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the control strategies so as to provide the demonstration for controlling the infection of soil-transmitted helminthes (STH). METHODS: The program applied the strategies of health education intervention first, control of infection sources as the second, and carried out the treatment for the target people depending on their prevalence. Infection rates of STH, the awareness of relevant hygiene knowledge, practice in hygiene way, the usage of harmless toilets and safe water were compared with the baseline. RESULTS: A total of 2 808 141 rural people in 10 demonstration zones were covered by this program. From 2007 to 2009, the health education was conducted to 4 227 900 person-times; 259 638 harmless toilets were built; 790 673 people benefited from the safe water supply; and the treatment was given to 6 432 700 person-times. An assessment for the program in 2009 showed that 95.92% of the target people gained the relevant hygiene knowledge, 98.78% practiced in hygiene way in their daily life, which increased by 112.31% and 72.15%, respectively when comparing with those in 2006; 56.43% people used harmless toilets, which increased by 54.35%; 71.55% benefited from safe water supply, which increased by 37.20%. The average infection rate of STH was 7.75%, which reduced by 78.39%. CONCLUSIONS: The strategies applying health education combined with the control of infectious sources meet the needs of rural people in China. The establishment of demonstration zones is effective in controlling parasitic diseases.