Public health interventions for preventing re‐infection of Opisthorchis viverrini: application of the self‐efficacy theory and group process in high‐prevalent areas of Thailand

Abstract

Objective To study the effectiveness of public health interventions in preventing Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) re‐infection in high‐prevalence areas of Thailand. Methods 68 people from Sisaket, the province with the second‐highest prevalence in Thailand, who tested positive for OV eggs in faeces and took praziquantel before the start of the study, participated. 34 participants were allocated to the experimental group, which received a 12‐week public health intervention based on the self‐efficacy theory and group process between July and October 2018. The control group received the usual services. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a reliability of 0.84. Faecal examinations using the formalin‐ether concentration technique were conducted before and after the experiment. The re‐infection rate was analysed after the experimental 12 weeks and after one year. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including paired t‐test and independent t‐test, were employed for data analysis. Results After the experiment, the mean scores of knowledge, perceived self‐efficacy, self‐efficacy expectation and OV prevention behaviour of the experimental group were significantly higher than before the experiment and also higher than scores of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The public health intervention is useful. It educated the experimental group about OV, perceived self‐efficacy and self‐efficacy expectation in changing behaviour to prevent OV re‐infection. As a result, no re‐infections were observed after the 12‐week intervention nor at the one‐year follow‐up. Public health benefits will be evident if the results are extended to other high‐prevalence areas.

Cholangiocarcinoma protective factors in Greater Mekong Subregion: Critical issues for joint planning to sustainably solve regional public health problems

“…Therefore, it is necessary to find out a suitable model or method for reducing the risk factors, such as using the model of having village health volunteers in high-risk areas in Thailand with a shortage of health personnel [ 19 ] or the parallel program of village health volunteers in the twin cities (Thailand–Laos) [ 18 ] to prevent and reduce CCA risk factors. In addition, some high-risk areas have adopted a public health approach [ 20 – 23 ] or one health approach [ 24 , 25 ] to reduce risk factors or control OV and CCA.…”

Effects of Integration of Social Marketing and Health Belief Model for Preventing Cholangiocarcinoma in High-Risk Areas of Thailand: A Community Intervention Study

“…It consists of training, 13 , 19 giving lectures, 20 watching videos, 19 , 20 listening to the families’ experiences with CCA patients, 13 doing group activities for learning and exchanging knowledge, 21 using role models and images, 19 cooking demonstrations, 13 and organizing campaigns of not consuming raw fish. 21 The materials used in training included videos, brochures, posters, flip charts, handbooks for OV-CCA, the model of OV eggs, microscopes, and slides about OV eggs. It is believed that people will express certain health behaviors to avoid disease when they think that they are at risk of contracting the disease, and the disease will cause violence and affect their daily life.…”

“…So, learning, content, and health education media must be compelling enough and cover the area and target groups. 21 Behavior modification is essential in providing health information through community participation, 30 and proactive action by VHVs. 31 , 32 It will provide suggestions on illnesses, disease incidence, risk factors, disease prevention, and health promotion.…”

“…18 The activities under a 12-week program followed a health education program based on a review of previous studies. It consists of training, 13,19 giving lectures, 20 watching videos, 19,20 listening to the families' experiences with CCA patients, 13 doing group activities for learning and exchanging knowledge, 21 using role models and images, 19 cooking demonstrations, 13 and organizing campaigns of not consuming raw fish. 21 The materials used in training included videos, brochures, posters, flip charts, handbooks for OV-CCA, the model of OV eggs, microscopes, and slides about OV eggs.…”

Effectiveness of health education in improving knowledge, attitude and practice related to foodborne zoonotic trematodes in Vietnam, with a particular focus on Clonorchis sinensis

“…Notably, the positive changes observed in the practices of the intervention group, particularly the reduction in raw fish consumption, hold significant promise for interrupting disease transmission. Studies in Thailand have demonstrated that health education is crucial for behavioural changes in raw fish consumption, which has reduced the prevalence of O. viverrini in humans [39,40]. This evidence suggests that health education plays a pivotal role in fostering behavioural changes, which, in turn, contribute to reducing parasite prevalence in human populations.…”