[Effect of water- saving irrigation engineering on schistosomiasis control in Eryuan County of Yunnan Province].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a water-saving irrigation project on schistosomiasis control. METHODS: The Oncomelania snail situation before and after the water-saving irrigation project was investigated, and the data of snails and schistosomiasis of people in the area of the water-saving irrigation engineering were collected and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The incidence of frames with snails declined from 10.70% to 2.27% after actualized water-saving irrigation project, and the snail density declined from 0.42 snails/0.1 m(2) to 0.10 snails/0.1 m(2). The snails were eliminated in 57% of the ditches. The snail area and schistosome infection rate of residents declined obviously. CONCLUSION: The water-saving irrigation project is effective in schistosomiasis control and has good social and economic benefits.