[Factors affecting differentiation between Oncomelania hupensis and Tricula snails among schistosomiasis control professionals in Yunnan Province].

Objective: To investigate the capability for distinguishing between the morphology of Oncomelania hupensis and Tricula snails and its influencing factors among schistosomiasis control professionals in Yunnan Province, so as to evaluate the interference of Tricula snails with O. hupensis surveys.

Methods: O. hupensis and Tricula snails were sampled from 9 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts) in Yunnan Province. The capability for distinguishing between O. hupensis and Tricula snails was evaluated using online questionnaire surveys and field blind tests among schistosomiasis control professionals, and the proportions of correct judgment, misjudgment and missed judgment were calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were created using the software SPSS 25.0, and factors affecting the proportion of correct judgments of O. hupensis snails were identified among schistosomiasis control professionals.

Results: Questionnaire surveys and field blind tests showed that the overall proportions of correct judgments of O. hupensis snails were 56.77% (2 305/4 060) and 68.28% (1 556/2 279) among schistosomiasis control professionals in Yunnan Province, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis of online questionnaire surveys identified gender [odds ratio (OR) = 1.244, 95% confidential interval (CI): (1.073, 1.441), P < 0.05], professional title [OR = 0.628, 1.741, 95% CI: (0.453, 0.871), (1.109, 2.734), both P < 0.05], working duration [OR = 0.979, 95% CI: (0.971, 0.987), P < 0.05] and classification of schistosomiasis epidemics in endemic foci [OR = 1.410, 0.293, 0.523, 95% CI: (1.103, 1.804), (0.237, 0.361), (0.416, 0.657), all P < 0.05] as factors affecting the proportion of correct judgments of O. hupensis snails among schistosomiasis control professionals in Yunnan Province, and multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustments showed that the proportion of O. hupensis snail misjudgments was 1.179 times higher among male schistosomiasis control professionals than among females [OR = 1.179, 95% CI: (1.006, 1.382), P < 0.05], and 1.474 times higher among schistosomiasis control professionals in schistosomiasis-elimination areas with snails than in areas without snails [OR = 1.474, 95% CI: (1.145, 1.898), P < 0.05], and the proportions of missed judgments of O. hupensis snails were 0.284 [OR = 0.284, 95% CI: (0.225, 0.359), P < 0.05] and 0.523 times [OR = 0.523, 95% CI: (0.412, 0.664), P < 0.05] higher among schistosomiasis control professionals in transmission-interruption areas with snails and schistosomiasis-elimination areas with snails than in schistosomiasis-elimination areas without snails. Univariate logistic regression analysis of field blind tests showed age [OR = 2.381, 95% CI: (1.677, 3.381), P < 0.05], professional title [OR = 1.688, 95% CI: (1.103, 2.582), P < 0.05］, working duration [OR = 0.970, 95% CI: (0.956, 0.984), P < 0.05] and classification of schistosomiasis epidemics in endemic foci [OR = 0.262, 0.593, 95% CI: (0.188, 0.364), (0.420, 0.837), both P < 0.05] as factors affecting the proportion of correct judgments of O. hupensis snails among schistosomiasis control professionals in Yunnan Province, and multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustments showed the proportions of missed judgments of O. hupensis snails were 0.263 [OR = 0.263, 95% CI: (0.176, 0.394), P < 0.05] and 0.604 times [OR = 0.604, 95% CI: (0.416, 0.875), P < 0.05] higher among schistosomiasis control professionals in transmission-interruption areas with snails and schistosomiasis-elimination areas with snails than in schistosomiasis-elimination areas without snails.

Conclusions: Schistosomiasis control professionals in Yunnan Province have a low accuracy rate for distinguishing between the morphology of O. hupensis and Tricula snails, and gender and classification of schistosomiasis epidemics in endemic foci are factors that affect their ability to distinguish. The presence of Tricula snails causes a high degree of interference with O. hupensis surveys in O. hupensis snail-infested areas of Yunnan Province. Reinforced training for distinguishing between O. hupensis and Tricula snails is required among schistosomiasis control professionals in Yunnan Province.