Clinical efficacy of intratympanic steroid injection for treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is an emergency that causes permanent hearing loss if timely treatment is not provided. However, the evidence supporting the effect of intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI) starting time on hearing outcome is limited. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 582 patients with ISSNHL who were treated with ITSIs and reviewed their clinical and audiological variables. The relationship between ITSI starting time and hearing recovery was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean starting time of ITSI was 13.17 ± 16.53 days. The overall hearing recovery rate was 55.15% (recovery = mean hearing level gain of ≥10 dB). The recovery rates were 79.2%, 67.4%, 50%, 36.6%, and 17.8% for the ITSI starting times of 1 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 28, and ≥29 days, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that ITST starting time (odds ratio [OR] = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.92-0.96, p < 0.001) and salvage therapy (OR = 0.55, 95% CI, 0.35-0.86, p = 0.009) were independent poor prognostic factors for patients with ISSNHL. CONCLUSION: Earlier ITSI treatment is associated with a higher hearing recovery rate. Comorbidities and post-ITSI complications were nonsignificant independent risk factors.

Balloon Dilation Eustachian Tuboplasty for Dilatory Dysfunction With and Without Effusion: A Comprehensive Outcome Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed (1) to demonstrate the efficacy of balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty (BDET) for dilatory Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and (2) to determine whether adjunctive ventilation tube insertion (VTI) is superior to myringotomy in relieving symptoms for patients with ETD and concurrent middle ear effusion (MEE) treated with BDET. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic center. METHODS: Patients with dilatory ETD undergoing BDET with a ≥6-month follow-up period were enrolled and evaluated mainly using Eustachian tube function (ETF) tests and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7). Participants with concurrent MEE were further classified into 2 subgroups, BDET with VTI and BDET with myringotomy. An intergroup comparison and comprehensive outcome evaluation were performed. RESULTS: In total, 35 patients with 50 symptomatic ears were enrolled. According to ETF test results, the normalized ETF rate was 94% on the last visit. The mean ETDQ-7 scores decreased significantly from 3.7 ± 1.4 to 2.0 ± 0.9 after interventions, with the most improvement in symptoms occurring for "ear fullness" and "muffled hearing." For the final visit, strong correlations among ETF tests, tympanometry, and Valsalva results were noted. The aforementioned assessment results did not significantly differ between (1) the patients with MEE and patients without MEE and (2) "BDET with VTI" subgroup and "BDET with myringotomy" subgroup. CONCLUSION: BDET was effective for dilatory ETD, even in cases with concurrent MEE. For patients with ETD and MEE, further research is required to evaluate the benefits of adjunctive myringotomy with or without VTI.

Objective multidisciplinary measurements of sleep disturbance and autonomic dysfunction as risk factors for chronic subjective tinnitus.

PURPOSE: This observational study assessed sleep disturbance and autonomic dysfunction as risk factors for chronic subjective tinnitus through polysomnography (PSG) and autonomic function tests. METHODS: Adult patients with chronic subjective tinnitus who visited the department of otolaryngology in our hospitals (n = 40), along with controls without tinnitus (n = 80), were recruited. Individuals with an average hearing threshold level (HL) exceeding 25 dB HL and a known diagnosis of insomnia were excluded. Objective assessments comprised pure-tone audiometry, PSG, and autonomic function tests (e.g., the cold pressor test). RESULTS: Patients with prolonged sleep latency, lower sleep efficiency, and sympathetic hyperactivity had significantly higher risks of developing tinnitus. No interaction effect between poor sleep quality and sympathetic hyperactivity on tinnitus was detected. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to administer PSG and autonomic function tests to patients with chronic subjective tinnitus. Poor sleep quality and autonomic dysfunction were implicated as risk factors for tinnitus. PSG and the autonomic function tests helped identify tinnitus-related comorbidities and inform tinnitus treatment. Sleep disturbance and autonomic dysfunction did not exert an interaction effect on tinnitus. Further studies with a larger sample size and the inclusion of patients with more severe tinnitus are warranted.

Performance of Sequentially Bilateral Cochlear Implanted Children Who Speak Mandarin.

INTRODUCTION: Cochlear implantation is an effective treatment for children with deafness. Although the binaural effect of bilateral cochlear implantation on sound localization and speech perception in noisy environments has been demonstrated, the outcome and performance predictors of the second cochlear implant (CI2) remain uncertain for patients receiving sequential implantation. This study evaluated the hearing performance between the first cochlear implant (CI1), CI2, and bilateral cochlear implants (CI1+2) among children with sequential bilateral cochlear implantation. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study enrolled 14 children and adolescents aged 8-18 years who underwent sequential bilateral cochlear implantation with a mean interimplant interval of 8.2 years. The Mandarin Lexical Neighborhood Test (M-LNT), the Mandarin Hearing in Noise Test (M-HINT), and the Comprehensive Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (CCIQ) scores of participants were evaluated. Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlation analysis were performed to analyze factors associated with CI2 performance. RESULTS: In the 1-year follow-up period after CI2 implantation, although the M-LNT mean score for CI2 was significantly lower than that for CI1, the M-LNT scores for CI2 and CI1+2 improved significantly over time. In a noisy environment, CI1+2 significantly outperformed CI1 in the M-HINT. The M-LNT score for CI2 was significantly associated with preoperative bimodal fitting, residual hearing of the second implanted ear, and CI2 daily-usage time. Specific to CI2, the CCIQ showed improvement 1 year after CI2 implantation. CONCLUSION: CI2 improved the hearing performance and quality of life of recipients with longer interimplant intervals, especially in noisy environments, and its efficacy was associated with preoperative bimodal fitting and regular daily use.

Applicability of Oculomotor Tests for Predicting Central Vestibular Disorder Using Principal Component Analysis.

The videonystagmography oculomotor test battery is considered useful method for diagnosing vertigo. However, its role in diagnosing central vestibular disorder has not been clarified due to variations in interpretation. Patients (n = 103) with vertigo or dizziness symptoms undergoing the oculomotor tests and brain MRI within 1 month were analyzed. Two otology specialists retrospectively interpreted the oculomotor tests, and three neurology and neuroradiology specialists determined whether central lesions were present on brain MRI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors contributing to discordant interpretation between oculomotor tests and brain MRI. Oculomotor tests predicting central lesions were assessed using principal component analysis. The intra- and inter-rater reliability in oculomotor test interpretation was moderate to good. Age > 60 years and multiple comorbidities were significant predictors of a discordant interpretation between MRI and oculomotor tests. Positive neurological symptoms and a higher oculomotor index (according to saccade (vertical axis), smooth pursuit (horizontal axis), and gaze-evoked nystagmus (horizontal/vertical axes) tests) significantly predicted central vestibular disorder in vertigo patients. Caution is required when interpreting the results of the oculomotor test battery for diagnosis of central lesions in older patients, as well as in those with multiple comorbidities.

Hearing Features and Cochlear Implantation Outcomes in Patients With Pathogenic MYO15A Variants: a Multicenter Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Recessive variants in the MYO15A gene constitute an important cause of sensorineural hearing impairment (SNHI). However, the clinical features of MYO15A-related SNHI have not been systemically investigated. This study aimed to delineate the hearing features and outcomes in patients with pathogenic MYO15A variants. DESIGN: This study recruited 40 patients with biallelic MYO15A variants from 31 unrelated families. The patients were grouped based on the presence of N-terminal domain variants (N variants). The longitudinal audiological data and for those undergoing cochlear implantation, the auditory and speech performance with cochlear implants, were ascertained and compared between patients with different genotypes. RESULTS: At the first audiometric examination, 32 patients (80.0%) presented with severe to profound SNHI. Patients with at least one allele of the N variant exhibited significantly better hearing levels than those with biallelic non-N variants (78.2 ± 23.9 dBHL and 94.7 ± 22.8 dBHL, respectively) (p = 0.033). Progressive SNHI was observed in 82.4% of patients with non-profound SNHI, in whom the average progression rate of hearing loss was 6.3 ± 4.8 dBHL/year irrespective of the genotypes. Most of the 25 patients who underwent cochlear implantation exhibited favorable auditory and speech performances post-implantation. CONCLUSIONS: The hearing features of patients with biallelic pathogenic MYO15A variants are characterized by severe to profound SNHI, rapid hearing progression, and favorable outcomes with cochlear implants. Periodic auditory monitoring is warranted for these patients to enable early intervention.

Sleep disturbance and psychological distress in adult patients with tinnitus.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Sleep disturbance and psychological distress are among the most prevalent comorbidities of tinnitus. We aimed to clarify the dose-response effects of these phenomena with tinnitus severity. METHODS: This study enrolled adult patients with subjective tinnitus for more than 6 months was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018 in one tertiary medical center and one local hospital. Data collected included demographic data and questionnaires, namely Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: In total, 1610 patients with tinnitus (1105 male, 68.6%) with mean age of 48.3 ± 14.3 years completed all questionnaires. The average THI score was 9.2 ± 19.4, and 82.4% of patients reported to have slight tinnitus (THI ranged 0-16). The mean PSQI score was 8.4 ± 4.3, and 70.8% of participants had sleep difficulty (PSQI > 5). Compared with patients with slight tinnitus, those with catastrophic tinnitus were mostly old women with lower body mass index, and had higher scores in ESS, PSQI, and HADS (all P < 0.05). In 1140 patients with sleep difficulty, independent factors influencing THI were age, ESS, and HADS, and positive correlations were observed between age-adjusted THI and ESS, HADS-A, and HADS-D (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Old age, daytime sleepiness, and psychological distress are highly associated with tinnitus severity among patients with sleep difficulty. Management of sleep disturbance and psychological distress is necessary to control tinnitus.

A Transcanal Endoscopic Approach for Management of Pulsatile Tinnitus due to High-Riding Dehiscent Jugular Bulb.

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) caused by a high-riding dehiscence jugular bulb (HDJB) is a rare but treatable otology disease. There are several managements include transcatheter endovascular coil embolization, transvenous stent-assisted coil embolization, or resurfacing the dehiscent bony wall of high jugular bulb under the use of microscope. Among those options, surgical resurfacing of HDJB might be an effective and safe choice with less destruction. However, previous studies approached middle ear cavity via microscope can only provide a lateral, indirect view, while resurfacing the vessel through a transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) approach may give surgeon a direct and easy way to manage HDJB. In this report, we presented a case of 40-year-old woman with HDJB and shared our clinical consideration and reasoning of the surgical management of PT via a transtympanic approach by TEES rather than a transmastoid approach.

Endoscopy-Assisted Transmeatal Cochlear Implantation in Multiple Ear Deformities.

To study congenitally deaf children with inner ear malformations that usually have comorbid anomalous facial nerves and middle ear deformities. To determine the feasibility of endoscopy-assisted transmeatal cochlear implantation with the purpose of reducing the risks of iatrogenic facial nerve injury. This report presents a unique technique in a pediatric case with multiple ear anomalies: microtia, cochlear hypoplasia with an aberrant facial nerve, a sigmoid sinus deformity leading to a narrow mastoid cavity, and a flat promontory wall without round window. A cochlear implant electrode array was successfully inserted endoscopically using the transmeatal approach in the present case. It caused no postoperative surgical complications, and the patient was then able to hear binaurally and functionally. For patients with comorbid multiple ear deformities, using endoscopy for cochlear implantation transmeatally is an alternative method providing a better visualization of the middle ear anatomy, an avoidance of injury of facial nerve, and an assurance of precise insertion of the electrode when the posterior tympanotomy approach is not applicable.

Stressful life events and poor sleep quality: a cross-sectional survey in the Chinese governmental employees.

Evidence has shown that stressful life events are associated with sleep quality, yet studies on employees are scarce. In the present study, we explored the association between stressful life events and sleep quality in Chinese governmental employees. The cross-sectional data on 10,994 Chinese governmental employees aged 20-60 years were derived from a cohort study on chronic diseases of governmental employees in Hunan Province, China. Logistic regression models were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI). Of the participants, 3517 (32.0%) reported poor sleep quality in the past month. Participants who experienced more than two life events in the past year were associated with 3 times (OR: 3.681, 95%CI:3.287-4.123) greater likelihood of poor sleep quality. Negative life events, but not positive life events, were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Regarding the types of events, economic-related life events were associated with poor sleep quality only in employees aged 20-35 years. Regarding the specific life events, work stress, job dissatisfaction, pregnancy or wife pregnancy,quality in Chinese governmental employees. discord with spouse's parents, separation from spouse due to work, bad relationship between spouse, unsatisfied sex life, misunderstood, blamed, false accusation or argument, and lifestyle changes were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. When stratified by sex, age and occupational position, the association of specific events and sleep quality were different. The present study showed that cumulative life events, negative life events and several specific events were significantly associated with poor sleep quality on Chinese governmental employees.

Factors Influencing Paternal Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum period is a critical time that requires adjustments not only for mothers but also for fathers and may pose risk for depression. Studies show that the prevalence of paternal postpartum depression (PPD) is between 1.2% and 25.5%. PPD is an under-recognized public health issue and its reported influencing factors are still inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to extend the literature by examining influencing factors that affect paternal PPD and describe the strength their associations. METHODS: We conducted keyword search of Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and PsycARTICLES electronic databases up to Jan 17, 2020, without language restrictions, for observational studies investigating the factors influencing paternal PPD and its effects. Fixed or random effect model was used to pool odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with Stata software 12.0. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using Cochran's chi-squared test (Cochran's Q) and I2 values. RESULTS: Nineteen cross-sectional studies and eighteen cohort studies published from 1996 to 2019 were included in this review and seventeen studies in the meta-analysis. Factors affecting paternal PPD can be classified into paternal, maternal, infant and family factors. In Meta-analysis, 9 of 17 influencing factors were revealed to be statistically significant: 1) paternal factors: unemployment OR= 2.59 (95%CI:1.42-4.74), low social support OR=1.05 (95%CI:1.03-1.08), negative life events OR=1.45 (95%CI:1.13-1.87), perceived stress OR=1.08 (95%CI:1.03-1.12), financial strain OR=2.07 (95%CI:1.13-3.81), history of mental illness OR=3.48 (95%CI:2.49-4.86); 2) maternal factors: parity OR=1.36 (95%CI:1.13-1.65) and maternal postnatal depression OR=1.17 (95%CI:1.03-1.33); 3) family factors: low marital satisfaction OR=1.40 (95%CI:1.22-1.61). No statistically significant association with infant factors was found in the meta-analysis. LIMITATIONS: There was publication bias since we only included English studies. Samples were under-represented in low-and middle-income countries. The meta-analysis results are subject to unobserved confounding factors and cannot explain causality. CONCLUSION: This overview of the evidence suggests a relationship between paternal employment, psychological status, history of maternal mental illness, first pregnancy, marital relationship and paternal PPD. The low number of studies for some infant factors in meta-analysis leaves gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed. The mechanisms underlying the reported associations and their causal relationship still remain unclear. The awareness of the serious long-term consequences of paternal PPD should encourage better identification of those at risk and the development of effective interventions to protect fathers from PPD.

Test of the stress process model of family caregivers of people living with schizophrenia in China.

Across the world, people living with schizophrenia (PLS) are often cared for by family caregivers. This is especially true in China where community-based systems of care for PLS are underdeveloped. Thus, family caregivers of PLS may experience emotional distress and burden in the absence of community-based services. Pearlin (1990) proposed a highly influential model for understanding the stress process and its relationship to health and wellbeing. Although the model has been examined worldwide, it has yet to be studied in China for caregivers of PLS. In the present study, we use Pearlin's stress process model to examine the mediating effect of perceived caregiver burden, family functioning, and caregivers' positive feelings about caregiving on PLS global functioning and caregiver depressive symptoms. We also examine whether the model differs for parent and spouse caregivers. A total of 327 primary family caregivers of PLS in Hunan province, China, were assessed cross-sectionally using culturally-validated measures. Bootstrap methods with Hayes's PROCESS Macro were used to test multiple mediation models of global functioning scores of PLS and caregiver depressive symptoms. In this first study of the stress process model of family caregivers of PLS in China, the results generally support the model. Caregiver perceived burden, family functioning, and positive caregiver feelings about caregiving all mediate the relationship between PLS global functioning and caregiver depression, with perceived caregiver burden having the strongest indirect effect. Analyses also show that the stress process differs between parent and spouse caregivers, with perceived caregiver burden a mediator for both groups but family functioning only a mediator for parent depressive symptoms. We discuss implications of these findings for extending the stress process model cross-culturally; suggest hypotheses for future research to examine parent and spouse differences; and discuss fruitful directions for intervention.

A cross-sectional study on spouse and parent differences in caregiving experiences of people living with schizophrenia in rural China.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists on whether parent or spouse caregivers experience better outcomes when caring for family members with schizophrenia. The current study aims to examine relative caregiving experiences and impacts of spouse and parent caregivers for people living with schizophrenia (PLS) in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 264 community-dwelling primary family caregivers of PLS. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect information on family caregiving activities; negative caregiving impacts including objective and subjective burden, and caregiver psychological distress such as depression and anxiety; positive caregiving impacts including caregiving rewarding feelings, and family functioning for spouse and parent caregivers. RESULTS: Both types of caregivers report engaging in similar caregiving activities and report comparable levels of objective burden. However, parent caregivers report significantly higher subjective burden than spouse caregivers (b = 7.94, 95%CI:2.08, 13.80, P < 0.01), which is also reflected in significantly higher depression (b = 3.88, 95%CI:1.35, 6.41, P < 0.01) and anxiety (b = 2.53, 95%CI: 0.22, 4.84, P < 0.05), and lower family functioning (b = - 1.71, 95%CI: - 2.73, - 0.49, P < 0.01). Despite these differences, both groups of caregivers report comparable rewarding feelings about caregiving. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have implications for family caregivers globally, but especially for countries that adhere to Confucian cultural values and provide guidance for future family intervention programs. Such programs may do well to incorporate cultural values and beliefs in understanding caregiving and kinship family dynamics so as to support family caregivers, and in particular, the specific vulnerabilities of parent caregivers.

Prevalence of Workplace Physical Violence against Health Care Professionals by Patients and Visitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Workplace physical violence against health care professionals perpetrated by patients and visitors has been a persistent problem worldwide. Prevalence estimates varied vastly across studies and there was a lack of quantitative syntheses of prevalence studies. This review aimed to quantify pooled one-year prevalence estimates at the global and regional levels. A systematic literature search was performed in the databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase between 1 January 2000 and 8 October 2018. Studies providing information about one-year prevalence of self-reported workplace physical violence against health care professionals perpetrated by patients or visitors were included. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using Cochran's chi-squared test (Cochran's Q) and I2 values. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to explore heterogeneity. A total of 65 eligible studies reported one-year prevalence estimates for 61,800 health care professionals from 30 countries. The pooled one-year prevalence of workplace physical violence against health care professionals perpetrated by patients or visitors was 19.33% (95% confidence interval (CI): 16.49%-22.53%) and the overall heterogeneity was high across studies. We noted geographic and staff categories variations for prevalence estimates through subgroup analysis. The meta-regression showed that sample size, type of health care setting, and quality score were significant moderators for heterogeneity. One in five health care professionals experienced workplace physical violence perpetrated by patients or visitors worldwide annually. Practical intervention was needed to ensure safety of health care professionals.

Prevalence of sleep disturbances in Chinese healthcare professionals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The current review is a systematic, quantitative meta-analysis aimed at examining the pooled prevalence of sleep disturbances in Chinese healthcare professionals. Furthermore, we explore the possible causes of the inconsistencies in the current estimates. METHODS: Systematic searches of databases were conducted for literature published on English (EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science) and Chinese (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang database and Chinese Science & Technology journal database) databases until 25 May 2018. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and R software, the prevalence of sleep disturbances was pooled using random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 52 studies with 31,749 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of sleep disturbances among Chinese healthcare professionals is 39.2% (95% CI: 36.0%-42.7%). Higher sleep disturbance rates are associated with being female, lower cut-off of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), later survey year, bigger sample size, the standardized assessment tool, being a nurse, and shift work. Sample size and cut-off of PSQI were significant moderators for heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Sleep disturbances are common in Chinese healthcare professionals, and their prevalence is much higher than the general population. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for preventing and treating sleep disturbances among healthcare professionals.

Cutoff of the Zarit Burden Interview in predicting depression and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to determine a statistically valid cutoff score for the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) in order to identify family caregivers at risk for depression and anxiety to guide for further assessment and future intervention. METHODS: The ZBI, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD) were administered to a representative community sample of 327 family caregivers of schizophrenia individuals. A ZBI cutoff score was determined using three different statistical methods: tree-based modeling, K-means clustering technique and linear regression, followed by contingency analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to compare between depression and anxiety scale scores with the ZBI cutoff. RESULTS: Findings suggest that a cutoff score of 48 in ZBI has significant predictive validity for identifying caregivers at risk for both depression and anxiety. A ZBI cutoff of 48 showed sensitivity of 73% for PHQ and 70% for GAD, specificity of 80% for PHQ and 79% for GAD, PPV (positive predictive value) of 75% for PHQ and 73% for GAD, NPV (negative predictive value) of 78% for PHQ and 76% for GAD. CONCLUSIONS: This cutoff score would enable health care providers to assess family caregivers at risk and provide necessary interventions to improve their quality of life in this important role.

Tone production and perception and intelligibility of produced speech in Mandarin-speaking cochlear implanted children.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored tone production, tone perception and intelligibility of produced speech in Mandarin-speaking prelingually deaf children with at least 5 years of cochlear implant (CI) experience. Another focus was on the predictive value of tone perception and tone production as they relate to speech intelligibility. DESIGN: Cross-sectional research. STUDY SAMPLE: Thirty-three prelingually deafened children aged over eight years with over five years of experience with CI underwent tests for tone perception, tone production, and the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR). A Pearson correlation and a stepwise regression analysis were used to estimate the correlations among tone perception, tone production, and SIR scores. RESULTS: The mean scores for tone perception, tone production, and SIR were 76.88%, 90.08%, and 4.08, respectively. Moderately positive Pearson correlations were found between tone perception and production, tone production and SIR, and tone perception and SIR (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). In the stepwise regression analysis, tone production, as the major predictor, accounted for 29% of the variations in the SIR (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Mandarin-speaking cochlear-implanted children with sufficient duration of CI use produce intelligent speech. Speech intelligibility can be predicted by tone production performance.

Measures and effects of schistosomiasis elimination in Wujin District , Changzhou City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the measures and effects of schistosomiasis elimination in Wujin District,Changzhou City,so as to provide the reference for other similar areas. Methods The data of schistosomiasis prevention and control were collected and analyzed in Wujin District,Changzhou City from 1995 to 2015. Results From 1995 to 2015,the accumulated ar-ea for investigating Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats was 15934.01 hm2 in Wujin District,and the accumulated area with snail habitats was 34.61 hm2,but no schistosome-infected snails were found. The area of snail control by molluscicides was 234.59 hm2,and the area of snail control by environmental reform was 84.48 hm2 in 18 key points. There were 259.3 thousand person-times receiving the examinations for schistosomiasis,and there were 17314 head of livestock receiving the examinations for schistosomiasis,but no schistosome-infected cases were found. There were 2042 person-times receiving the extensive chemo-therapy. The popularizing rate of sanitary toilets was 99.25％in the whole district. The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge was 98.08％and the formation rate of proper behaviors was 97.82％in the population. Conclusions In Wujin Dis-trict,the aim of schistosomiasis elimination has been performed through the active control measures. However,there are still so-cial and natural risk factors of re-endemic of schistosomiasis,and therefore,the schistosomiasis monitoring work still should be strengthened.