A follow-up study of Opisthorchis viverrini infection after the implementation of control program in a rural community, central Thailand

Abstract

Background: Opisthorchis viverrini infection is still one of the public health problems in Thailand. Our recent cohort study conducted in a rural community in central Thailand showed that the incidence rate of O. viverrini infection in 2002-2004 was 21.6/100 person-years. Conventional control activities including case diagnosis and treatment, hygienic defecation promotion and health education focusing on avoiding raw fish consumption was implemented. This study aimed to re-assess the status of infection after implementation of intervention programs, using both quantitative and qualitative methods in [2007][2008][2009]. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of O. viverrini infection. Stool examination methods including wet preparation, Kato and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique were performed for the detection of O. viverrini eggs. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess risk behavior. In addition, qualitative information was collected from both O. viverrini negative and positive villagers using focus group discussions. Results: The incidence of O. viverrini infection was 21.4/100 person-years. Consumption of chopped raw fish salad, Koi pla and age 60 years and older were independently associated with O. viverrini infection, similar to our previous study. Findings from the qualitative study, indicated that inadequate knowledge, misbeliefs, and social and cultural mores were important factors leading to the maintenance of risk behaviors. Moreover, unhygienic defecation and insufficient diagnosis and treatment were found to facilitate O. viverrini transmission.

The Carcinogenic Liver Fluke Opisthorchis viverrini among Rural Community People in Northeast Thailand: a Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study using Multistage Sampling Technique

“…Recent study, O. viverrini infection was 6.76%, this is a first reported a provincewide survey in all age group in rural community of Surin province, Thailand. The highest prevalence was among those between age group 61-70 (19.40%) and 71-80 year old (19.35%); similar to other studied (Kaewpitoon et al, 2012b;Kaewpitoon et al, 2012c;Thaewnongiew et al, 2014). Previous studied in Surin province, 9.91% of elderly were infected with O. viverrini (Kaewpitoon et al, 2012c).…”

“…The proportion of O. viverrini infected was slightly higher in males than in females, but the gender different was not statistically significant. People who had an education level with primary school and had an occupation concerning with agriculture, were statistically significantly associated with O. viverrini infection, similar to other studied (Thaewnongiew et al, 2014;Suwannahitatom et al, 2013). This figure shows that the middle age and elderly, primary school, and agriculture, are under the need for urgently introduce mass treatment and health education.…”

“…Past studied, multiple logistic regression analysis was the used to investigate O. viverrini infection factors in the target group, 3,916 Thai residents of northeast Thailand who were 15 or over. The remaining 6 variables were sex, age, water resource habit, having used to medicine for O. viverrini infection, having an O. viverrini infection records, having salad or fermented fish, were significantly associated to O. viverrini infection (Thaewnongiew et al, 2014. The figures show that questionnaire with past histories question may useful for screening of O. viverrini in the rural areas.…”

Health Behavior Regarding Liver Flukes among Rural People in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

“…Moreover, unhygienic defecation and insufficient diagnosis and treatment were found to facilitate O. viverrini transmission. Consumption of chopped raw fish salad and Koi pla were independently associated with O. viverrini infection (Suwannahitatorn et al, 2013). Therefore, health education is need required in the moderate level, meanwhile health behavior change is urgently in the low level of behavior regarding liver fluke prevention and control.…”

Development of a Community-Based Approach to Opisthorchiasis Control

“…Unfortunately one earlier Opisthorchis viverrini infection intervention after the implementation of control program in a rural community, central Thailand (Suwannahitatorn et al, 2013) For sustainability, it is essential that there is a network of committed individuals be established and education and promotion targeting the main risk factor, Koi pla consumption, improving diagnosis and treatment, and promoting hygienic defecation should be used in the prevention and control program study program. Certainly, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that existing control programs are not working in rural areas due to underfunding and limited outreach, especially in the neglected Northeast and where people continue to eat raw, semi-cooked or fermented fish dishes such as koi pla, lap pla, and pla som (Grundy-Warr et al, 2012).…”