Helminth and Intestinal Protozoa Infections, Multiparasitism and Risk Factors in Champasack Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Sayasone, Somphou; Mak, Tippi K; Vanmany, Monely; Rasphone, Oroth; Vounatsou, Penelope; Utzinger, Jürg; Akkhavong, Kongsap; Odermatt, Peter

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0001037

Cited by 107 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 50 publications

(82 reference statements)

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“…Donelong Island is highly endemic for the Mekong schistosomiasis (Sayasone et al, 2011). Four villages are on Donelong, namely Houalong, Longsong, Longkang and Hanglong (Figure 1).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived illness drives participation in mass deworming campaigns in Laos

Phongluxa¹,

Eeuwijk²,

Soukhathammavong³

et al. 2015

Acta Tropica

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Multiple helminth infections are very common in communities of southern Laos. Preventive chemotherapy in combination with health education is the mainstay of control. We assessed the knowledge, perceptions and practices of rural communities related to endemic helminthiasis and their control during a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign. Short interviews with household heads (n = 192), direct observations and discussions with attendants of mass drug administrations, and in-depth interviews with local opinion leaders (n = 21) were carried out. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis was performed. Results showed that opinion leaders and villagers were well aware of the importance of attending MDA. Leaders perceived the effectiveness of MDA against severe schistosomiasis and appreciated that it was provided for free and in their village. They encouraged villagers to attend it. Anticipated adverse effect of praziquantel was a barrier for participation. A majority of leaders purchased deworming tablet (mebendazole, albendazole) in a local pharmacy for deworming when MDA is absent in their villages (19/21). Most leaders (20/21) had a good knowledge on severe schistosomiasis though only a few of them (5/21) described its cause correctly. They knew little about the disease consequences of liver fluke (3/21) and soiltransmitted helminth (4/21) infections but more about their causes. A high risk for worm infection was observed: consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked fish (100%), frequent physical contacts with Mekong River water (76.0%) and low number of latrines (14.5%). In conclusion, MDA is widely accepted in affected communities. Avoiding severe schistosomiasis was the main motivation to comply. Participation rates increased significantly with drugs provided free of charge in the villages. Better knowledge on the consequences of worm infections and on its modes of transmission will foster the distribution and acceptance of appropriate preventive treatment and other measures in helminth endemic communities. Where multiple infections require several drugs for MDA, preceding health education and information about MDA and its benefits are a prior condition.3

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“…Donelong Island is highly endemic for the Mekong schistosomiasis (Sayasone et al, 2011). Four villages are on Donelong, namely Houalong, Longsong, Longkang and Hanglong (Figure 1).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived illness drives participation in mass deworming campaigns in Laos

Phongluxa¹,

Eeuwijk²,

Soukhathammavong³

et al. 2015

Acta Tropica

Self Cite

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“…Even higher rates were observed in rural Laos (Sayasone et al, 2011(Sayasone et al, , 2009 (Baermann, 1917;Koga et al, 1991) and for E. vermicularis, the scotch-tape anal swab technique (Cho and Kang, 1975). Hence, diversity of the helminthic infection is underestimated in our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…In Southeast Asia, intestinal helminth and protozoa multiparasitism is well known and has been documented (Lee et al, 2002;Park et al, 2004;Sayasone et al, 2011Sayasone et al, , 2009Sinuon et al, 2003). Several endemic species of food-borne trematodes (FBT) have been identified, such as liver flukes (Opisthorchis viverrini, and Fasciola spp.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High prevalence of large trematode eggs in schoolchildren in Cambodia

et al. 2015

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Large trematode eggs (LTE) resembling Fasciola spp. eggs were reportedly found in the stools of schoolchildren in Kandal province, Cambodia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of LTE in the stools of children attending the affected school, identify potential risk factors for infection and ascertain the trematode species. We performed a cross-sectional study involving an in-depth questionnaire administered to schoolchildren at the affected school, and examined cattle droppings in the surrounding area and the livers of slaughtered cattle. Three stool samples were examined per child, using KatoKatz and formalin-ether concentration techniques. In addition, blood serum ELISA and coprological PCR was conducted for species clarification. Cattle droppings were examined by cup sedimentation and coprological ELISA. LTE were observed in the stools of 228 schoolchildren (46.5%). Two blood serum samples from schoolchildren were positive for Fasciola hepatica in a first ELISA but were negative in a confirmation immunofluorescence antibody test. Out of 221 PCR samples, only one tested positive for transmission from cattle to human is possible and public health services need to be alerted accordingly.3

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“…viverrini infection is endemic in several countries in Southeast Asia and in all provinces of Laos (Rim et al, 2003). It is highly prevalent in central and southern Laos, reaching infection rates of more than 90% in adult populations (Forrer et al, 2012;Sayasone et al, 2007;Sayasone et al, 2011). It is estimated that 1.7 million Laotians are currently infected with liver flukes (WHO, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raw fish consumption in liver fluke endemic areas in rural southern Laos

et al. 2013

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Consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked fish is a major public health concern in Southeast Asia, and in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), in particular. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices of villagers in liver fluke endemic areas related to raw fish preparation, consumption and its health consequences. In February 2010, eight focus group discussions (FGDs, 35 men and 37 women total) and direct observations were conducted in four randomly selected villages in Saravane District, Saravane Province (Lao PDR). FGDs distilled the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices of adult community members on raw fish preparation, consumption and its consequences for health. Conversations were transcribed from notes and tape-recorders. MaxQDA software was used for content analysis. Knowledge regarding the health effects of raw fish consumption was heterogeneous. Some participants did not associate liver fluke infection with any ill health, while others linked it to digestive problems. Participants also associated vegetables and tree leave consumption with liver fluke infection. The majority of FGD participants considered fish flesh that had been prepared with weaver ant extract to be safe for consumption. Visual appearance, taste, smell and personal preference were given as reasons for consuming raw fish dishes. Moreover, participants considered it a traditional way of food preparation, practiced for generations in Laos. Ten different fish dishes that use raw or fermented fish were identified. All FGD participants reported consuming dishes with raw fish. This study reveals a low degree of knowledge among local people on the health risks related to frequent consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked fish. Fish dishes were considered to be 'well-prepared' (that is, 'cooked') even though the fish had not been heated. In future, successful health education campaigns 3 will have to address the specific knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices of the concerned population.

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Helminth and Intestinal Protozoa Infections, Multiparasitism and Risk Factors in Champasack Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Cited by 107 publications

References 50 publications

Perceived illness drives participation in mass deworming campaigns in Laos

Perceived illness drives participation in mass deworming campaigns in Laos

High prevalence of large trematode eggs in schoolchildren in Cambodia

Raw fish consumption in liver fluke endemic areas in rural southern Laos

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