Objective: To investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in China during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, so as to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on the national schistosomiasis control program in China.
Methods: On April 2020, 3 counties (districts) were randomly selected from each of the 12 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces (municipality, autonomous region), and a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in these counties (districts) from January to March 2020. Then, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemics on the national schistosomiasis control program of China was evaluated using a comparative analysis approach.
Results: Among the 36 counties (cities, districts) sampled from 12 provinces (municipality, autonomous region), 66.67% were at a high and medium risk of COVID-19 epidemics. The implementation of schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human schistosomiasis examination and treatment, snail control with chemical treatment and health education reduced by 44.26% to 91.56% as compared to 2019 during the same time period, and the schistosomiasis control program was more affected by COVID-19 in transmission-controlled provinces. The gross funds invested into the schistosomiasis control program reduced by 23.39% in relative to the expected, while the total expenditure increased by 41.22%. In addition, all 36 surveyed counties (districts) considered that the COVID-19 epidemic had a short-term impact on the schistosomiasis control program, with the most predominant impact on schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human resources and monitoring of endemic situation of schistosomiasis.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 epidemics affect the routine schistosomiasis control program across the endemic-foci of China. Policy and financial support should be strengthened to ensure the completion of the schistosomiasis control program.
［摘要］ 目的 了解新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情防控期间我国血吸虫病防治工作开展情况,评估新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情对我国血吸虫病防治工作的影响。方法2020年4月,在我国12个血吸虫病流行省份各选择3个县(市、区),采用问卷调查的方法了解2020年1–3月当地血吸虫病防治工作开展情况,应用比较分析的方法评价新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情对我国血吸虫病防治工作的影响。结果在本次调查的12个省(直辖市、自治区)、36个县(市、区)中,新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情高、中风险地区占66.67%。各地血吸虫病防治工作部署、人群血吸虫病查治病、药物灭螺、健康教育开展情况较2019年同期减少44.26%~91.56%,血吸虫病传播控制省受影响程度较大;血吸虫病防治总经费收入较预期下降23.39%,总经费支出增长41.22%。36个调查县(市、区)均认为新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情对血防工作产生了短期影响,并以工作部署、人力资源和疫情监测等3个方面受影响最为突出。结论受新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情影响,我国各地常规血防工作均受到不同程度影响。应加强政策支持、保障经费落实,以保质保量完成各项血吸虫病防治工作任务。.
Keywords: Challenge; Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-9); Questionnaire survey; Schistosomiasis.