[Assessment of the disability weight for chronic schistosomiasis japonica in lake region].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate a suitable disability weight for chronic schistosomiasis japonica in a lake area of China. METHODS: A total of 219 chronic schistosomiasis patients from surveillance sites in Yangxin County of Hubei Province received questionnairing. The age- and sex-specific disability weights of chronic schistosomiasis were estimated based on the six classes of disability severity identified by Global Burden of Disease (GBD). All data was managed by Epidata 3.1. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS8.1. Rank sum test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to examine the differences between disability weights. Pair-wise comparison was done by Nemenyi method. Multifactor logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of disability weight. RESULTS: The average disability weight was 0.122, and age-specific weight ranged from 0.020 to 0.280. The disability weight increased with age. Significant differences were found among different age groups (chi2=152.590, P<0.01). The disability weight of males (0.103) was significantly lower (Z=2.405, P<0.05) than that of females (0.147). Multi-factor logistic regression models indicated that the disability weight was significantly associated with age (OR=1.173, 95% CI: 1.130-1.217), and income level was a protective factor (OR=0.497, 95% CI: 0.319-0.775), while age was a confounding factor. CONCLUSION: An average disability weight of 0.122 for chronic schistosomiasis japonica indicates that 1/8 healthy year has lost for each survived life year of the patients, higher than the data of GBD.

[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. CONCLUSION: 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.

[Study on the reliability, validity and sensitivity of a Family Burden Scale used for evaluation on schistosomiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability, validity and sensitivity of a Family Burden Scale (FBS) of disease used on schistosomiasis. METHODS: 224 schistosomiasis patients were investigated, using the FBS. Reliability was estimated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and split-half reliability. Validity was tested by factor analysis. Sensitivity was evaluated by comparison of patients with different income levels. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.874 and split-half reliability was 0.939 for FBS, respectively. Most values of Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability for each component of scale were above 0.70. Construct validity was appraised by factor analysis, and 6 factors were identified. These factors could explain 66.76% of the total variance. Patients with different income levels showed significant difference in terms of family burden for schistosomiasis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This FBS appeared to have satisfactory reliability, validity and sensitivity and could be used in evaluating family burden of schistosomiasis patients.