Background: Liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, is associated to cholangiocarcinoma which is found frequently in some areas of Southeast Asian countries particularly in Thailand, Lao People Republic Democratic, Cambodia. This study sought to investigate the effects of an O. viverrini and cholangiocarcinoma (OVCCA) web application to facilitate health literacy regarding O. viverrini in Northeast Thailand. Methods: A randomized controlled trial study was performed among an intervention group (n=63) and a control group (n=63) during a one-year period from July 2019 to May 2020. The intervention group received the health literacy promotion program of O. viverrini information through the OVCCA web application for 6 weeks. The control group received an activity package from the public health department. The success of the program was evaluated at week 24 after the groups finished the last activity. ANCOVA, t-test and multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis for both groups. Results: The scores for knowledge; ability to access, understand, appraise, and apply information; motivation for protection; and practice of O. viverrini prevention were significantly higher for the intervention group than for the control group. The results indicated that a health literacy promotion program through an OVCCA web application could be advantageous for preventing and controlling O. viverrini infection. Conclusion: This intervention may be used as a potential strategy and guideline for self-care and health promotion in other endemic areas.
Background Parasitic infections are a public health problem worldwide including in Thailand. An epidemiological survey for helminthiasis based on stool examination uses the Kato-Katz method as recommended by the WHO. Limitations of this method include the need for fresh stool as well as time requirements and a lack of quality control. These remain a big problem in parasite control policy. Our goal here was to use formalin-fixed stool samples to improve the diagnostic performance of the Kato-Katz method.Methods Stools were divided into two groups: formalin-fixed and unfixed stool groups at various time points and processes for the Kato-Katz method. Fresh Echinostome eggs were added to each stool group. The clearing process was increased by incubation with glycerol. Each group was observed and photographed under a light microscope. Parasite eggs were imaged and compared with the standard Kato-Katz method.Results The quality of Echinostome egg visualization from the slide of formalin-fixed stool was significantly better than the unfixed stool (p < 0.01). Stool fixed for seven days retains its normal Echinostome egg morphology. Incubation with glycerol for 1 h could increase the Kato-Katz performance by digesting the stool content and enhancing egg observation. Moreover, the result of Kato-Katz method using natural helminths infection fixed and fixed stool plus glycerol found the good quality of Opisthorchis viverrini and Taenia egg visualization, normal morphology with clear background of slide.Conclusions Formalin-fixed stool could be suitable and appropriate for the Kato-Katz method rather than fresh stool; it could be used for epidemiological studies.
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