Risk factors for Opisthorchis viverrini infection in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, where the infection is highly endemic

Abstract

Background Opisthorchiasis caused by Opisthorchis viverrini is a serious health issue in the Mekong basin region, resulting in a high prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma. Nakhon Phanom province had the highest prevalence of O. viverrini infection in Thailand at 60% of the surveyed population in 2009, despite the attempted control of opisthorchiasis for >50 years. Knowing risk factors for O. viverrini infection in Nakhon Phanom may lead to improved control and prevention of opisthorchiasis. Objectives To determine risk factors for O. viverrini infection in Nakhon Phanom. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Nakhon Phanom province from February to March 2014. The community was selected using a stratified random sampling method, and then, participants were selected by systematic random sampling. Individuals ≥15 years old were included. Knowledge of O. viverrini infection, and attitudes and practice to avoid it were assessed using a questionnaire. O. viverrini infection was determined by stool examination with a formalin–ether concentration method. Factors associated with the infection were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 134 participants, 75 (56%) were infected with O. viverrini. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, 3 independent factors were associated with O. viverrini infection: age ≥ 55 years, odds ratio (OR) adjusted 6.36 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–31.66); consumption of chopped raw-fish salad (koi pla), OR adjusted 28.74 (95% CI 3.59–230.24); and perceived susceptibility, OR adjusted 0.15 (95% CI 0.03–0.74). Conclusions Age ≥ 55 years, consuming koi pla, and perceived susceptibility were independently associated with O. viverrini infection in Nakhon Phanom.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Opisthorchis viverrini Infection in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

“…The reason for eating raw food was due to habit rather than being addicted to the taste. Among these habits, consumption of raw or undercooked fish was demonstrated to be a significant contributing factor to the prevalence of O. viverrini in the present study; similar other published studies [ 29 , 33 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Helminth infections and associated risk factors among adults in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

“…Raw/undercooked sh consumption through traditional dishes, and study adults living in a rural setting with socio-economic disadvantage were identi ed as predictive factors associated with O. viverrini infection in the current study. Similar ndings were also reported from previous studies conducted in neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam [33][34][35].…”

Current prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection and associated risk factors in Nakhon Phanom Province, Northeastern Thailand

“…The prevalence of O. viverrini infection in the present study was not significantly different among age groups. This is in contrast to previous findings where agespecific patterns have been observed for O. viverrini infection on other parts of Thailand (Chudthaisong et al, 2015;Nakbun et al, 2018;Chuangchaiya et al, 2019), Laos (Sripa et al, 2011;Forrer et al, 2012) and Cambodia (Yong et al, 2012). Despite the no difference in prevalence among the age groups in our study, people at all ages are at risk of being infected with O. viverrini.…”