Objective: To understand the characteristics of the floating population infected with Schistosoma japonicum, so as to provide the evidence for constituting and optimizing control strategy.
Methods: By the cluster random sampling method, six highly endemic villages from the different endemic types in Guichi District were selected as the research areas . The basic information and infected status of the floating population were surveyed by questionnaires and examination between 2000 and 2009.
Results: The time when the floating population returned to their homes mainly focused on Spring Festival between 2000 and 2009, and more than 83% of people returned. The infection rate of the floating population was similar to or more than that of the local residents. During the ten years, the reduction of the infection rates in the floating populations (from 5.29% to 2.63%) was consistent with the reduction of the infection rates in the local residents (from 5.28% to 2.68%). However, the reduction of the infection rates in the floating population who worked in the non-endemic areas was more than that in the local residents.
Conclusion: Spring Festival is the optimal time for detecting and treating schistosomiasis in the floating population.