Objective: To investigate the prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections among rural residents in Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into improving the control strategy. Methods: According to the Zhejiang Provincial Surveillance Programme on Soil-borne Nematodiasis and Clonorchiasis, 5 administrative villages were randomly selected in Tiantai County according to geographical locations on April, 2021, and all permanent residents at ages of 3 years and older were sampled from each village using a cluster sampling method. Subjects' gender, age, occupation, education level and deworming were collected. Subjects' stool samples were collected, and soil-borne nematode eggs were detected using the modified Kato-Katz technique, and larval culture was performed using a filter-paper culture method among hookworm egg positives for identification of hookworm species. In addition, the intensity of infection was evaluated using hookworm eggs per gram stool sample. Results: A total of 1 013 residents participated in the survey, including 495 men (48.86%) and 518 women (51.14%), and there were 502 participants at ages of 51 to 70 years (49.56%), 874 farmers (86.28%) and 436 subjects with an education level of primary school (43.04%). However, no subjects received deworming. The prevalence of hookworm infections was 3.85% among the study subjects, and only Necator americanus was identified. There were 31 cases with mild infections (79.49%), 5 cases with moderate infections (12.82%) and 3 cases with severe infections (7.69%), and all infections occurred in farmers. The prevalence of hookworm infections was 3.84% among men and 3.86% among women. No hookworm infection was detected among residents at ages of <41 years, and the prevalence of hookworm infections appeared a tendency towards a rise with age among residents at ages of 51 years and older (χ2trend=24.091, P<0.001), while the prevalence of hookworm infections appeared a tendency towards a decline with educational levels among residents (χ2trend=19.534, P<0.001). The greatest prevalence of hookworm infections was found in Qianyang Village (10.95%). Conclusions Hookworm disease is the predominant type of soil-borne nematodiasis in Tiantai County, and the middle-aged and elderly farmers with a low education level are high-risk populations for soil-borne nematodiasis control.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the newly reported HIV-infected cases aged ≥50 years in Tiantai County from 2006 to 2020, and to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of intervention measures and control strategies for the elderly. MethodsData of the newly reported HIV-infected individuals aged ≥50 years in Tiantai County from 2006 to 2020 were analyzed. A trend χ² test was used to analyze the changing trends of the composition ratio over the years. ResultsA total of 201 HIV-infected cases aged ≥50 years were newly reported from 2006 to 2020, accounting for 52.62% of the total reported cases, and the proportion of HIV- infected patients aged ≥50 years in the total number of reported cases increased from 12.50% in 2011 to 80.00% in 2020, showing a yearly increasing trend (χ²_trend=36.898, P<0.001). The mean age of the elderly at diagnosis of HIV infection was (64.8±9.1) years old, and the average age of infection was (58.1±9.3) years old. Patients who were male (79.10%), married with a spouse (58.21%), with an educational level of primary school and below (68.16%), with a local registered residence (75.12%) and peasants (88.06%) were associated with increased risk of HIV infection. Heterosexual transmission (89.55%) was the major route of HIV transmission among the HIV-infected cases aged ≥50 years and 75.12% of them were detected while visited medical and healthcare facilities. Among heterosexual transmission, males were more likely to be infected through non-marital heterosexual contact(χ²=229.381, P<0.001), while females were more likely to be infected through contact with their positive spouse or fixed sexual partner(χ²=216.699, P<0.001). The AIDS epidemic had affected 15 townships (streets) in the county. Pingqiao Town and Chicheng Street were seriously affected, with the confirmed cases accounted for 45.27% of the total number of the cases in the county. ConclusionThe number of the newly reported HIV-infected cases aged ≥50 years in Tiantai County showed a rapid growth trend from 2006 to 2020. Males with low educational level predominated in the total number of the cases. Commercial heterosexual behavior is the main route of infection. Lack of timely detection and management on positive clandestine prostitutes, resulting in the existence of gathering trend in the key towns. Crackdown on clandestine prostitution should be strengthened, and interventions on high-risk sexual behaviors should be carried out, in order to promote the acquisition of HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge and behavioral change for the elderly, furthermore, to control the spread and epidemic of HIV/AIDS.

ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of hookworm infection and its relevant behavioral factors in rural areas of Tiantai County， Zhejiang Province， and to provide scientific evidence for prevention and control of hookworm disease. MethodsBy using a stratified cluster random sampling strategy， local residents aged ≥3 years was divided into 5 districts according to geographical location； furthermore， those in one administrative village （surveillance site） were investigated in each district. Species of hookworm were identified by filter paper culture in vitro， and enterobius vermicularis eggs were detected by cellophane anal swab in children aged 3‒9 year. Risk factors were determined by questionnaire. ResultsA total of 1 013 residents were investigated in 5 surveillance sites. Thirty nine cases with hookworm infection were detected， with the total infection rate of 3.85% . All species detected were determined to be Necator americanus. The infection rate significantly differed across the towns （χ²=48.32， P<0.05）， with the highest rate in Nanping Town （10.95%） . It significantly differed by age groups （χ²=65.65， P<0.05）， with the highest rate in those aged >70 years （9.75%）. Furthermore， it decreased with educational background. It was significantly associated with fertilize with fresh manure （χ²=6.87， P<0.05） and barefoot labor （χ²=157.69， P<0.05）. ConclusionThe overall infection rate of hookworm in Tiantai County remains low. Dominant species of hookworm is hookworm Necator americanus. It is necessary to strengthen the advocacy of hookworm prevention and control knowledge， improve hygiene in work and life style， and increase self-protection awareness.