To understand the epidemic status quo and influencing factors of Kashin-Beck disease among children in mountain areas of Jilin Province.

Two hundred eighty-two severe endemic areas in 18 counties were selected and stratified by random cluster sampling method, and the status quo of Kashin-Beck disease prevalence was investigated among 7-12 year-old children according to the "Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin-Beck Disease" (WS/T 207-2010). In the meantime, the annual household income and the proportion of economic crops replanted, grain out-sourced, and returning farmlands to forests and grass were surveyed in the disease affected areas.

A total of 14 162 children were investigated who had no clinical symptoms. Among them, 28 cases were detected positive using X-ray with a detection rate of 1.98‰, while most of the cases were metaphysis positive. The annual household income (≥5 000 Yuan vs.< 5 000 Yuan) in the year 2009- 2011 had a significant impact on the incidence of Kashin-Beck disease(1.47‰ vs. 3.67‰, χ² = 6.179, P< 0.05), while the areas of returning farmland to forests and grass which accounted> 1% had no significant influence on the incidence compared with that ≤1% (3.30‰ vs. 1.57‰, χ² = 3.876, P > 0.05); the areas of economic crops replanting which accounted > 10% had no significant influence on the incidence compared with that ≤10% (3.07‰ vs. 1.65‰, χ² = 2.565, P > 0.05); the proportion of grain out-sourcing which accounted > 50% had no significant influence on the incidence compared with that ≤50% (3.07‰ vs. 1.65‰, χ² = 2.565, P > 0.05).

Up to 2012, the disease among 7-12 year-old children of the mountain areas of Jilin Province have basically met the standard of Kashin-Beck disease elimination and the situation remains stable; furthermore, the household income has a significant impact on the incidence of Kashin-Beck disease.

Kashin-Beck disease; Epidemiological study; Data collection