Geographical Environment Factors and Risk Mapping of Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Western China

Abstract

The study aimed to reveal the risk factors and predict the prevalence of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Western China. To do this, we analyzed county-wide data relating to the prevalence of human CE in seven provinces of Western China, along with associated human, natural geographical environmental data. We then used spatial analysis and multiple regression analysis to investigate the correlation between the prevalence of human CE and associated environmental factors and to create a risk map of the disease in the seven provinces. Our analysis showed that grassland area ratio and Tibetan population ratio were independent variables positively correlated with the prevalence of human CE and that gross domestic product (GDP) and land surface temperature (LST; Spring) were negative independent variables. We also created a predictive risk map of human CE that revealed that the high-risk areas were mainly located in the south of Qinghai, the Northwest of Sichuan and most of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Knowledge of the spatial distribution and risk factors associated with human CE could help to prevent and control echinococcosis in China.

Correlates of School Children’s Handwashing: A Study in Tibetan Primary Schools

“…The survey consisted of a one-time paper and pencil questionnaire to be completed by the students and was conducted in the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Golog, Qinghai Province, one of the poorest areas in China [24]. Living in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with altitudes ranging from 3600 to 4500 meters, people in the region Golog face various challenges including slow social development and limited access to information [14].…”

“…Rural Tibetan areas in China are characterized by a high incidence of foodborne parasitic diseases, especially echinococcosis [14]. Studies have shown that a major risk factor associated with echinococcosis is poor handwashing behavior, next to other factors such as living in a rural area, low income, owning dogs, and playing with dogs [15,16,17,18,19,20].…”

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Infectious Diseases

“…These articles provide novel insights into the interaction between space and time in the context of each specific infectious disease, providing new perspectives in the understanding of these pathologies and their extent. A total of 11 manuscripts [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11] were accepted after a single-blind review process by at least two international experts using the journal-specific review guidelines.…”

“…The different works corresponding to these articles were carried out in different geographical areas of several countries: China [2,5,6,7,8,10], Colombia [4], Ecuador [3], Korea [9], and Taiwan [1]. One of the studies deals with the analysis of an intracellular geometric model [11].…”

“…Several infectious diseases are addressed by studying their differentiated characteristics and relating them to relevant explanatory variables. The list of diseases studied includes typhoid and paratyphoid fevers [10]; Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV) [9]; tuberculosis [8]; bacillary dysentery [7]; cystic echinococcosis [6]; hand, foot, and mouth disease [5]; zika virus disease (ZVD) [4]; dengue [1,3,4]; and hepatitis [2,11].…”