Bianca Falcone1, Sangshin Park2, Hannah W Wu1, Tjalling Leenstra3, Mario A Jiz4, Blanca Jarilla4, Stephen T McGarvey5, Jonathan D Kurtis1, Jennifer F Friedman1. 1. Center for International Health Research, 55 Claverick Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. 2. Graduate School of Urban Public Health & Department of Urban Big Data Convergence, University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 163 Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea. 3. Centre for Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. 4. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Immunology, 9002 Research Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila Philippines, 1781. 5. Brown University School of Public Health, International Health Institute, Box G-S121 121 South Main Street Providence, RI 02912, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We compared individuals' self-reported water contact from a questionnaire to direct observation of water contact. Questionnaires that accurately capture water contact are necessary to risk-stratify individuals and communities at high risk for schistosomiasis. METHODS: Individuals (N=677) ages 7-30 y were included from three Schistosoma japonicum-endemic villages in Leyte, The Philippines. Each individual was observed for 12 d over the course of the 18-month study and the questionnaire was administered six times. A questionnaire index was derived that captured the number of self-reported contacts with water bodies for any purpose. An exposure index was created based on the sum of contacts that was weighted by the percentage of body surface area (BSA) exposed and exposure duration. RESULTS: Of 16 water contact activities, only bathing and washing clothes exhibited a significant, positive correlation between self-reported contacts and the observed exposure index related to those contacts. CONCLUSIONS: We found that only the reported frequencies of bathing and washing clothes were significantly related to an individual's overall observed exposure index, while use of all reported contacts was not related to the observed exposure. This study further supports the need for questionnaires to be augmented by some measure of how much BSA is exposed and/or time is spent in the water on average for a specific activity.
BACKGROUND: We compared individuals' self-reported water contact from a questionnaire to direct observation of water contact. Questionnaires that accurately capture water contact are necessary to risk-stratify individuals and communities at high risk for schistosomiasis. METHODS: Individuals (N=677) ages 7-30 y were included from three Schistosoma japonicum-endemic villages in Leyte, The Philippines. Each individual was observed for 12 d over the course of the 18-month study and the questionnaire was administered six times. A questionnaire index was derived that captured the number of self-reported contacts with water bodies for any purpose. An exposure index was created based on the sum of contacts that was weighted by the percentage of body surface area (BSA) exposed and exposure duration. RESULTS: Of 16 water contact activities, only bathing and washing clothes exhibited a significant, positive correlation between self-reported contacts and the observed exposure index related to those contacts. CONCLUSIONS: We found that only the reported frequencies of bathing and washing clothes were significantly related to an individual's overall observed exposure index, while use of all reported contacts was not related to the observed exposure. This study further supports the need for questionnaires to be augmented by some measure of how much BSA is exposed and/or time is spent in the water on average for a specific activity.
Authors: G Payne; H Carabin; V Tallo; P Alday; R Gonzalez; L Joseph; R Olveda; S T McGarvey Journal: Trop Med Int Health Date: 2006-06 Impact factor: 2.622
Authors: A G Ross; A C Sleigh; L Yuesheng; G M Williams; G J Waine; S J Forsyth; L Yi; G F Hartel; D P McManus Journal: Acta Trop Date: 1998-11-30 Impact factor: 3.112