[Development and application of communication materials for participatory health education of schistosomiasis in fishermen and boatmen of Poyang Lake region].

OBJECTIVE:To design and develop new types of health education materials which are suitable for fishermen and boatmen in endemic areas of marshland and lake regions, and to observe their application effects. METHODS:A total of 292 adult fishmen and boatmen who lived in Houshan Village, Yugan County, the schistosomiasis endemic area of Poyang Lake Region, were selected randomly and investigated by questionnaires to understand the status of their knowledge, attitudes, practices on schistosomiasis control as well as the channels for getting information on schistosomiasis control and the materials that they were willing to accept. Then the information and materials suitable for the target population were developed together by the researchers and the volunteers of the villagers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and the Delphi method. RESULTS:A series of participatory health education materials of schistosomiasis control targeted to the fishmen and boatmen were developed, including 2 live posters, 2 picture puzzles, 2 short opusculums and one song about schistosomiasis control. The field application showed that 98.97%, 84.38%, 78.35% and 80.93% of the participants considered those materials had scientificity, intelligibility, interestingness and practicability, respectively. CONCLUSION:The participatory health education materials of schistosomiasis control is suitable for fishmen and boatmen, which can be used for reference by other endemic areas in marshland and lake regions.