RISK-FACTORS FOR HUMAN CYSTICERCOSIS MORBIDITY - A POPULATION-BASED CASE-CONTROL STUDY

A population-based case-control study to determine social and behaviou ral risk factors for Taenia solium cysticercosis in humans was carried out in a rural area, Shandong province, China. Forty-eight cases with cysticercosis were ascertained through a prevalence survey conducted among 7281 persons in 1993. For each case, four controls residing in t he same village and matched for age and sex were randomly selected. In formation regarding demographic, social and behavioural factors was co llected during house visits through interviews and direct observation. Risk factors strongly associated with human cysticercosis included po or personal hygiene, being unable to recognize cysticerci-containing m eat, poor pig-raising practices and a history of passing tapeworm prog lottides. The results indicate that health education in combination wi th chemotherapy for taeniasis is required for the control of cysticerc osis in humans.